body art

American  

noun

1. an artistic practice or style of the 1960s and 1970s developing from conceptual art and performance art and utilizing the artist's body as both the subject and object in such experimentation as decoration, wax casts, and even mutilation.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• body artist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of body art

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Gesturing to cartoon tattoos that cover the left side of her body, she says she wanted to give people who mocked her something to look at, but eventually, the body art became meaningful to her.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2023

Or call it high art to body art.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 19, 2023

Mr. Sherland was charged with performing body art on a person under 16 years of age, regardless of parental consent, and for giving his son the piercing without a license.

From Washington Times • Apr. 24, 2023

Meanwhile the Sugababes' Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy joined forces - it was a mix of sharp suits for Keisha and Siobhan, and a black dress for Mutya, showcasing her body art.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2023

It was a breathtaking piece of body art.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older