Renowned Effects Artists to Judge Best in Body Art

Presented by North Shore City

Renowned Effects Artists to Judge Best in Body Art

Weta Workshop’s five time Oscar winning special effects wizard Richard Taylor will be among the all star line-up of guest judges at the 2007 New Zealand Body Art Awards at the North Shore Events Centre on June 16.

With more than 50 body artists registered, ranging from the nation’s leading body effects talent to first-timers, the awards will be a feast for the eyes.

Judged as the best emerging event of 2006, and only in its second year, the NZ Body Art Awards is fast establishing itself on the nation’s arts calendar.

Brainchild of the NZ Body Art Awards, Mem Bourke, says the awards serve to showcase, acknowledge and promote the many talented and hard working New Zealanders practising the art form.

“The NZ Body Art Foundation was established to support the education of New Zealand’s special effects artists and promote their talents to a global audience.

“Our mission is to promote New Zealand as a centre of expertise in body art, make-up and special effects to both local and international film and television networks,” says Ms Bourke.

Guest judge on the night, Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop says he is delighted to be involved in such an exciting industry event.

“I am just so pleased that Mem has taken this on board and created such an inspired and professional event which treats local artists with such respect,” says Taylor.

Also judging will be American creator of deranged creatures Gabe Bartalos from Atlantic West Effects and Weta Workshops senior prosthetics supervisor Gino Acevedo.

This year’s NZ Body Arts Awards will have nine separate categories including airbrushing, body painting, prosthetics, masquerade, tribal and fluorescent illusion.

The event takes place on Saturday June 16, 2007, at the North Shore Events Centre in Northcote, and starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from Ticketek and range in price from $30 student tickets, up to $80 for more exclusive table seats. Meal tables can be booked direct from official NZBAA office.

All money raised from the event will go towards NZ Body Art Trust for education funding, as well as promotion and advancement of the industry within New Zealand.

Judge and artist contact information is attached.

For further information, to arrange interviews, coverage on the awards night or media passes to the show please contact:

--

Judge and artist bios and contact details

Judges:

Richard Taylor (Weta Workshop)

A friend and supporter of last year's New Zealand Body Art Awards, Richard Taylor has returned this year to be a judge for the new 2007 show.

Richard is the co-founder and director of Weta Workshop, a business he and his partner Tania Rodger began over twenty years ago.

Working closely with Peter Jackson, they provided special effects for his films beginning with Meet the Feebles and Braindead, and most recently The Lord of the Rings and King Kong.

Growing as others have joined the creative collective, Weta now has several hundred-crew members across several companies, including Weta Workshop, Weta Digital, Weta Limited and Weta Productions.

Richard has collected five Academy awards and four BAFTAs in recognition of Weta Workshop's artistic success.

He and Tania remain focused on their original goals - the continued support of the creative arts in New Zealand and forging a lifestyle out of making cool stuff.

Gabe Bartalos (Director /Special Effects/ Make-Up artist)

As long as he can remember, 37-year-old Special Effects Make-Up artist Gabe Bartalos has had a healthy fascination with fantasy and horror.

Starting with painting, then sculpture, Bartalos was able to put these talents on display by filming them in his own graphic Super-8 films.

Gabe was able to sharpen his skills by working on a string of N.Y. independent films and then eventually moved to Los Angeles to start his own effects company, Atlantic West Effects.

Bartalos was quick to leave his mark in the horror genre by teaming up with Director Frank Henenelotter on horror classics such as BRAIN DAMAGE, FRANKENHOOKER, BASKET CASE 2 & 3.

This was followed by a long relationship with Trimark/LionsGate with the 6 LEPRECHAUN films, SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK and FROZEN.

Bartalos' skills were sought out for the massive T-Rex creation in Doug Trumballs ambitious IMAX film, BACK TO THE FUTURE- THE RIDE, then more carnage in BLOODRUSH, FREEJACK, PLAYING GOD, and creatures in DEADSPACE, GENII, and SIDESHOW. Gabe then teamed with director, studio head, Jim Glickenhause for his grisly needs in the Scott Glenn thriller SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS, and TIMEMASTER.

Always sticking close to the East coast, Gabe contributed the elaborate make-up effects for artist/filmmaker Matthew Barneys lush CREMASTER cycle, multiple ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE photo shoots with celebrity photographer Mark Seliger, (including the now infamous Marilyn Manson 'Dark Feather Fantasy') and then back in LA, the disturbing disintegration effects with IMAGINARY FORCES, for the on-going ANTI-SMOKING campaign.

Currently Bartalos has come full circle with his directorial debut, SKINNED DEEP, a high-energy fever-dream that he scripted as well.

www.atlanticwesteffects.com

Michael George (Maori Artist)

Michael George has always been an artist. As a teen he was a graffiti artist that would always get in trouble with the law. As punishment authorities sent him to do community work at various businesses, one being at a Spray Shop where he learnt how to airbrush.
Being similar to graffiti art, Michael has airbrushed his way to gain various artist roles, from painting large Movie Billboards (freehand) to Event & Film Production, to being an image creator for Beauty industries.
Michael currently lives in Auckland’s Titirangi.
Michael was the 2006 tribal category winner!

Katherine Dryden (Waikato student/artist)

Katherine Dryden is 21 and a mother to four year old Hunter.

She lives in Hamilton and currently studies at The Hairdressing Academy. Katherine has also studied at The School of Make Up Technology and The School of Beauty Therapy.

Katherine first became interested in body art while pregnant during an antenatal class.

“We had a professional come in and using our tummies as a canvas she created some of the most amazing art works I have ever seen.”

“I love the fact that I can express myself in so many different forms from the more conventional to the totally absurd,” says Ms Dryden.

Robynette Brunt (Auckland student/artist)

23 year old Robynette Brunt is currently graduate student at Auckland’s Cut Above Academy.

Formerly from Brisbane, Australia, Ms Brunt felt a change of scenery was in order & returned to her birthplace where she decided to pursue her dream of being a hairdresser.

In 2006 Ms Brunt entered 3 categories in the first Body Arty awards and received a third placing in the tribal category.

“I love doing body arts as it’s never the same canvas you’re dealing with, everyone has different shapes and curves.”

It does involve doing a lot of research and preparation, but it’s a fabulous and rewarding learning experience, and it has helped me to dig deeper into the inner artist,” says Ms Brunt.

Tracey Coustas (Auckland University student)

22 years old Tracey Coustas attends Auckland University, and lives in Albany, Auckland. Originally from South Africa, Ms Coustas has now lived in New Zealand for four years.

Ms Coustas is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Visual Arts conjoint degree. Coustas majors in jewellery design, and minors in painting and life drawing.

“I’ve always had a passion for art and jewellery, “says Ms Coustas.

Ms Coustas did art and graphic design at school, where she received many awards, and has also exhibited selling a number of paintings and jewellery pieces.

“What interested me in entering the body art awards is that I have always enjoyed painting portraits and working with the human form.

“I’m really interested in body adornment, and how we communicate our personalities through body decoration,” says Ms Coustas.

The 2007 Body Arts Awards will be Tracey’s first time and she will be entering the hand painting category.

Magdalena O’Connor (Gay Artist)

Magdalena O’Connor is a 25-year-old who has art running in her blood.

Body art is one of her favourite mediums for channelling her creativity and bringing her visions to life.

Magdalena has had a nomadic life. Born in Virginia to an American father and New Zealand mother she has lived throughout the world, from India, Australia, England and the US to attending high school in New Zealand.

She has settled in Auckland for the time being and is busily engaged in as much art and creation as she can fit into her busy life.

Her travels serve as inspiration in her creativity, as is her love of fantasy stories, particularly those involving vampires and werewolves. She is known for a propensity for adding liberal lashings of gore to her creations.

Magdalena has studied special effects at Auckland’s Cut Above Academy and also has a degree in graphic design.

Ms O’Connor is constantly engaged in any number of artistic projects, while making fences at a Penrose factory to pay the bills.

Magdalena took second place in the body painting section of the Body Art Rocks contest in Wellington in 2006

She is currently busy planning her creation for the fluorescent section of the 2007 NZ Body Art Awards.

NZ Body Art event director Mem Bourke asked Ms 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 Ms O’Connor.

Magdalena is happy to field questions or do interviews for any media, including gay media.

Bobby MacDonald (Maori Artist)

Bobby MacDonald is 23 year old Maori artist living in Onehunga, South Auckland.

Bobby grew up in South Auckland and was bought up by his grandparents and older sister.

At the end of his 6th form year Bobby joined a Maori performing arts group called Te Rakau, directed by Jim Moriaty. Te Rakau toured the South Island high schools, performing and inspiring youth.

Jim Moriaty has been a huge inspiration for Bobby and was the one who insisted Bobby apply for Elam School of Fine Arts.

This involved Bobby returning to Onehunga High School to finish his seventh form year which earned him a scholarship at AUT and a place at Elam.

Bobby won the airbrush category in the 2006 Body Art Awards Painting His friend David as Edward Scissor hands.
Since then Bobby has been employed doing many body painting jobs for promotional purposes.

Bobby is looking forward to participating in the 2007 awards and says he looking forward to doing more with body makeup, masks, and prosthetics.

ENDS

© Scoop Media