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The term body art conjures up all sorts of images. But it is basically altering the appearance of any part of you body. It may be in an attempt to make your body more attractive; it could be to shock; or it could simply be a statement.

There is evidence that painting one's body occurred in prehistoric times. The forerunner of the tattoo existed for hundreds of years until it began to die out in the civilized world in the 18th Century. It occurred across the world, with many indigenous natives using it to show which tribe they belonged to or as a mark of seniority. The reason it disappeared from the 'civilized' world is that the Church taught that it was somehow connected with the devil and was as such a mark of shame.

Tattoos began to reappear in modern times through sailors, who often decorated their forearms with the name of their loved one in ink. In the last couple of decades it has expanded and is now widely used as a body art form by people of all sexes and all ages. Tattoos are used on all parts of the body. The reason behind their revived and increased popularity is that nowadays you can get more colorful and limitless designs and the ink is no longer permanent if you wish to remove your tattoo at any time.

One aspect of body art that has shocked the older generation is piercing. People are now prepared to carry rings on just about any part of their body - the ears, nose, mouth, tongue, eyelids, nipples and even genitalia.

Women quite happily apply makeup most days and this too is body art.

I would disagree with the claim that body art is dying out. I think it remains a growing trend. The barriers have been redrawn in recent years. It is only natural that the next generation will wish to push them back still further with even more shocking creations.

Learn more about this author, Phil Hill.
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