The Australian Body Art Festival is back again this year. This is the largest body art competition in Australia and attracts both local and international talent up to the Sunshine Coast together with a good number of spectators every year. The event entry is free to drop in for a look if you’re in the area or plan a day out on the coast.
The 2019 festival takes place on the weekend of the 5th to the 7th April and will be held at Apex Park in Cooroy. The main festival on Saturday and Sunday is free to attend. In addition to what’s going on in the competitor’s marquee, you’ll also find roving street performers, dance, musicians, shows for the kids, wearable art and more. You can see the full program on their site.
The event kicks off on Friday night with the Opening Event at the grand marquee in the park. Tickets are priced at $25, food on the grazing tables will feature local produce and cater to a variety of dietary preferences. For those with an interest in locavore produce on the Sunshine Coast some of the local producers will be around on the night so search them out to find out more.
I think the first time we headed up to the Sunshine Coast for the festival in 2014. Back then it was called the Body Art Carnivale and was held in and around the Eumundi markets. It was fascinating to watch the designers creating their art pieces, both the planning that went into them and the hours of creation for each design. So much patience on behalf of both the artist and the model.
Each year has a theme, the one photographed here was ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ a concept that allowed plenty of scope for interpretation and brought out the creativity and skill of those competing. This year’s inspiration is ‘Other Worlds’ should provide just as much creative diversity for the new artists and visual interest for those attending.
In previous years some of my favourite designs have been by Nina , these are some of her works to give you an idea of what to expect. I’m hoping she is taking part again, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with this year.
As big fans of alternative art installations and street art we really enjoy the body art festival as another expression of the incredible talent that’s out there. The Sunshine Coast is also a fabulous destination with so many options of things to do to round out your day.
Headed to the Sunshine Coast? Here are a few other options you might like: