World Champion in Special Effects Body-painting 2019
Special effects made in the paper by hand in recyclable and eco materials by artist Vilija Vitkute.
Team of :
Assistant- Elisa Hochrainer
Model - Malgoshia Sus
Documented by - Linnea Grimstedt
STORY
Embracing Artistic Expression at the World Bodypainting Championship
In 2013, I participated in the World Bodypainting Championship festival, where I immersed myself in various categories and techniques of body art. I had the opportunity to connect with numerous artists and compete in countries such as Serbia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the USA. This experience motivated me to invest my time, research, finances, and energy into discovering new creative methods, expanding my network, and gaining visibility. After six years of competing and exploring my identity in body painting, I took a leap of faith to reveal my authentic self—a hidden talent that yearned to be shared. I believed the World Bodypainting Festival would serve as the perfect platform for this expression. In 2019, the festival attracted a large audience of over 30,000 visitors and artists from 50 nations, alongside significant media attention and a grand stage.
Competing in Special Effects Body Painting
I chose to compete in Special Effects body painting, an art form that transforms the skin with temporary, non-permanent designs and effects using prosthetics and latex materials adhered with special glue. This technique is often employed in film, fashion, and events. For this competition, I aimed to create something entirely innovative, inspired by the theme “CLEAR MIND - CLEAN PLANET.” Having created paper art since I was 12, I began merging body painting with my paper art designs in 2013. Since then, I have shared my techniques on how to attach paper art to the skin, utilize recycled materials, and ensure that the body can move freely, allowing the model to feel light, breathable, and environmentally friendly.
While latex can be stunning, I struggled with the idea of models being unable to move, eat, or use the restroom comfortably, idea of knowing that their skin needed to breathe and cant that well at all because of prosthetics. I wanted to offer a fresh perspective within this category.
A Personal Journey of Creation
I crafted my piece three months before and after giving birth- welcoming my daughter, Linnea to this world. Every intricate detail was handmade, requiring hundreds of hours of work and years of research. On the day of the competition, I assembled all the components on the model in seven hours, with the assistance of a helper. I even received an extra 30 minutes to breastfeed my two-month-old daughter during the championship. Once my work was complete, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness, receiving wonderful feedback from both the audience and the jury. My heart swelled with pride for daring to take a risk in this category, expressing my true self, and presenting my creation on a global stage, especially so soon after giving birth.
After the jury deliberation, photoshoots, and stage presentation, I was thrilled to be announced as the winner of the WORLD BODYPAINTING CHAMPIONSHIP in Special Effects. The joy and satisfaction of receiving the trophy and recognition were incredible. I didn’t party that night since i was with my newborn having the best sleep ever and it was greatest gift to hold her next to my heart and trophy next to our bed.
Facing Mixed Reactions
However, my victory sparked considerable debate within the Special Effects category, with some artists in the World Bodypainting community expressing skepticism about whether my work truly fit the category. Some suggested I was merely lucky to win, there have been fights-discussions and doubts. This left me feeling both elated and anxious, as my innovative approach to special effects received a mix of acceptance and criticism within the community, i guess that means a success in creating something new. Nevertheless, I have never felt prouder of stepping beyond my comfort zone and fully embracing my artistic voice. I had the courage to present my work on a world stage, prompting others to question norms, challenge stereotypes, and contribute to a better world through our art— advocating for waste reduction and caring for our precious Mother Earth.
The winner ceremony
