Body Painting – one of the most original types of art that was used mostly in traditional rituals/ceremonies – is now increasingly being considered and revered as a contemporary art form. Verging on the unbelievable, here are the striking and surreal images from German Body Artist, Gesine Marwedel.

Painting by Gesine Marweda | Photos by Thomas van de Wall

The creative process of Body Painting / Body Art requires the skills of traditional art techniques, a vibrant conceptual foresight, and bucket loads of patience…. and paint! Marwedel shares her thoughts about this beautiful art form that gives a whole new life to the idea of what is ‘real’ art…

Body painting is not just paint to a living canvas; it is receiving the body shapes in the design, painting on and with the body. It is the transformation of a human into a breathing, moving, living work of art. (Marwedel)

Painting by Gesine Marweda | Photos by Thomas van de Wall

Painting by Gesine Marweda | Photos by Thomas van de Wall

Painting by Gesine Marweda | Photos by Thomas van de Wall

Painting by Gesine Marweda | Photos by Thomas van de Wall

Painting by Gesine Marweda | Photos by Thomas van de Wall

Painting by Gesine Marweda | Photos by Thomas van de Wall

Body Art by Gesine Marwedel
Photos by Thomas van de Wall

To see more photography that requires a second look, read our article Surreal Photography: The Power of Perception