Emma Hack [Australia]
www.emmahack.com.au

How did you discover the art of bodypainting?

While studying make-up artistry in 1991, my teacher, Bill Peacock had a book of make-up pencil applied on bodies to create tigers and leopards.  I had been face-painting for 3 years and thought why not apply the brush and sponge style of face-painting all over the body.  There were competitions at the end of my course which included fantasy make-up.  I painted my model wearing lingerie including stockings, I really enjoyed the process and I won.  Shortly after that the Demi Moore cover of Vanity Fair came out where she was painted in a suit by Joanne Gair, I realised I could make a career of what I was doing.  It took a long time to come to fruition but body art is known worldwide now so it is easier to get work which is great!



Why do you choose to paint onto the living body?

I guess it is my make-up design background, I love making the body look beautiful and I have so many more ideas before I move my art career in another direction.  The illusion of this art-form is amazing and people seem very drawn to it.  I find canvas work quite difficult now as it is so flat!



Some of your art is painted onto animal bodies, how does this change the process of your painting?

Not really, I obviously have to consider the animal and that it feels safe in the process, I didn't want to scare them.  All were very tame and I painted them with make-up so it was safe for them. The other thing was that I tried to keep the time of painting minimal for them so design wise, I have worked very simply.



What inspired your wallpaper series?

I had been trying to find a way to create a collection based on Verushka's work, blending her body into rustic walls.  My style is very colourful so I didn't want to blend people into nature and this theme, it had also been done before.  One day I came across 'Flourish' a home-ware store and they had a wall covered in the late Florence Broadhurst wallpaper designs, I felt a very strong connection to her designs so decided to try blending my models into it.  The first time a tried it, I painted for 19 hrs, my poor model had to stand that long.  The designs are very difficult, I have progressed from showing a little skin and character work to fully blending the models into the designs.  

For my upcoming collection launched mid November, I have chosen to blend some of her most intricate, difficult designs.  It has been stressful but I want to keep pushing what I do.  The works are selling very well as limited edition art prints and have inspired many articles in various papers and design magazines across the world, establishing my artwork in the worldwide press which is amazing.



What has been your most interesting experience while working as a bodypainting artist?

I would have to say the most interesting and inspiring moment of body painting was working on my 'Parallel' calendar created for the Australian Paralympic team back in 2000.  They are such amazing people and I learnt that you can overcome and push through anything to achieve success if you try, this was a major motivational moment for me in my career.

How would you like to see your art develop in the future?

I would love to keep creating, pushing the boundaries of the way body art is viewed in society. I wish to exhibit nationally and internationally, establishing myself within the art market.

All my exhibition images can be viewed at www.emmahackartist.com

Portfolio, calendar and event works can be viewed at www.emmahack.com.au

Feel free to email me to be added to my update list!

Upcoming exhibitions:

Oct 24th-26th, Weekend Australian ART SYdney:  www.artsydney08.com.au

Nov 14th-7th Dec, Art images Gallery, Norwood, SA:  www.artimagesgallery.com.au