A lesbian body-paint artist best known for using “liberal lashings of gore” in her work has this year decided to enter the flashy ‘fluorescent’ section of the 2007 New Zealand Body Art Awards, to take place this week. “I’m diversifying this year. I’m planning a dragon,” 25-year-old Magdalena O’Connor reveals. She’s been doing Body Art for a year now, saying it’s one of her favourite mediums for channelling her creativity and bringing her visions to life. Last year she took second place in the body painting section of the Body Art Rocks contest in Wellington. Her travels through India, Australia, England and the USA serve as inspiration in her creativity, as is her love of fantasy stories, particularly those involving vampires and werewolves. NZ Body Art event director Mem Bourke asked O’Connor to help with a promotional event and ever since then she’s been hooked. “The thing I like most about body art is that the painting can get up and walk around, as opposed to a traditional canvas which is static,” says O’Connor. With about sixty body artists registered, ranging from the nation’s leading body effects talent to first-timers, the awards will be a feast for the eyes. Nine separate award categories include airbrushing, body painting, prosthetics, masquerade, tribal and fluorescent illusion. Bourke says the awards serve to showcase, acknowledge and promote the many talented and hard working New Zealanders practising the art form. Weta Workshop’s five-time Oscar winning special effects wizard Richard Taylor will be among the all star line-up of guest judges. The 2007 New Zealand Body Art Awards are at Auckland’s North Shore Events Centre in Northcote from 7.30pm on Saturday 16th June. More details on the event are available on the link below. Related links: www.bodyartawards.co.nz Ref: NZ Body Art Awards (m)