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

Etymology

Origin of body art

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

It’s a big deal given his apprehension toward body art.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

DeLauro is far from the first member of Congress to sport body art.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 31, 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

"This specific incident in 2014 highlighted the problem of unlicensed body art practitioners and body piercers and led to very difficult consequences for a number of people in south Wales," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2023

It was a breathtaking piece of body art.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older