Body art creations on display in suburbia

Tessie Chen depicts ikebana - Japanese flower arranging, as painted by Magdalena O'Connor . Photo / Eveline Jenkin

Pedestrians in Takapuna were treated to a change of scenery on Saturday afternoon as models for the annual Body Art Awards were painted in the foyer of the Bruce Mason Centre.

As light streamed through the windows and the artists went to work, curious passers-by were able to see mystical creatures take form.

This year's theme was 'Fantasia Asia' and many of the walking creations were inspired by Asian mythology.

Andrea Hows was working on a red oni - a Japanese version of a demon - complete with horns and fangs.

"He's a man-eater," she explained.

"They have a tendency to take the form of people or their surroundings to trick them. They're just really horrible, nasty beings."

Not all the artists created evil creatures however.

Magdalena O'Connor used the Japanese art of flower arranging - ikebana - as inspiration.

Her creation depicted cherry blossoms and tiger lillies in a traditional Japanese pot.

Though many of the models were painted by hand or airbrushed, some of the artists used different materials to create unusual textures.

Kym Stevenson created a lattice work-style armour for her work 'The Awakening,' using latex.

"I'm a bit of a latex freak," she admitted.

"If you mix it with different materials and fibres you get some very cool effects."

Artist Kelly Zhong-ni Ren was named the Supreme Award winner at Saturday night's awards, having already taken out the award for Best Special Effects Fantasy creation with her oni-themed creation.

FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS:

Supreme Award: Kelly Zhong-ni Ren

Best Emerging Artist: Carly Marr

Best Performance Model: Laughton Kora

Hand Painted Body Art:
Special Commendation - Ana Trenwith
1st runner up - Emma Edworthy
Winner - Carmel McCormick

Air Brushed Body Art:
Special Commendation - Magdalena O'Connor
1st runner up - Nicole Heydenrijk
Winner - Yolanda Bartram

SPFX Fantasy:
Special Commendation - Erin Harrison
1st runner up - Michele Perry
Winner - Kelly Zhong-ni Ren

Mask:
Prosthetic/Rubber
Special mention to artist, Jan Maree Vodanovich and her model, Shannon Loo
Special Commendation - Kristy Hitchens
1st runner up - Monique McKeown (Green Dragon)
Winner - Abi Taylor

Masquerade
Special Commendation - Deborah Moore
1st runner up - Yolanda Bartram
Winner - Emma Edworthy

SPFX Creatures:
Special Commendation - Hayden Wick
1st runner up - Alia Rozeboom
Winner - Carly Marr

Hand Painted Body Art Novice:
Special Commendation - Myrtha Heydenrijk
1st runner up - Kara Jensen
Winner - Claire Sunderland

Ethnic and Tribal:
Special Commendation - Danielle Meredith
1st runner up - Andi Soon
Winner - Kim Boyd

Maori Myths and Fantasies:
Special Commendation - Donna Waihi
1st runner up - Anthony Wilson
Winner - Kelly Isherwood