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

• body artist
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of body art

First recorded in 1970–75

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

body art

It was meant to address concerns about hygiene and safety, but the law also played into social norms in a conservative country where body art is still deeply frowned upon.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

They had gathered on a rooftop in Seongsu, a hip Seoul neighbourhood, for Ink Bomb: more than 90 local tattooists and artists openly celebrating body art, which had thrived in the shadows for decades.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

Previous policy was for officers to conceal all tattoos and body art, according to the department.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2024

Or call it high art to body art.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 19, 2023

It was a breathtaking piece of body art.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

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