Among the artists from 40 countries at the World Body Painting Festival 2009 was Nguyen Thi My Hanh from Vietnam.

Nguyen Thi My Hanh at the World Body Painting Festival 2009.

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A graduate of the HCM City Art University, My Hanh is a pioneer in creating living statues in Vietnam. She set up the Tao Xanh (Green Apple) company to introduce living statues as a new art form. Her endeavors brought My Hanh to the World Body Painting Festival 2009 in Austria, which attracted more than 25,000 spectators.

Hanh went to Austria as an independent contestant. With modest English skills, Hanh calls this trip an “adventure”. She arrived on July 10, met a friend and her husband, and then traveled to Seeboden, the venue for the festival.

Most participants were professional body painters from Europe who joined the professional contest. First-time competitors like My Hanh competed as “semi-professionals.”

Cold weather brings inspiration

My Hanh’s body-painting work at the World Body Painting Festival 2009.

On the first day of competition, My Hanh focused on learning the rules and did not participate in contest activities. The next day, the weather turned cold suddenly and models were reluctant to disrobe. My Hanh, however, convinced her model to pose.

She had chosen the theme “Poetry – the strength of language”. Hanh recalls, “I wanted to paint lines of verse hidden inside the soul of artists, which are like fires that burn artists.”

However, in the cold weather, she changed the topic.

Chris Obsn Ober (Austrian) and his first-prize winning work for the airbrush gene at the World Body Painting Festival 2009 (photo: world.bodypainting.festival)

“When I lay curled up to get warm, I suddenly realized that I created the shape of an oil lamp. My legs were the lamp stick, my buttock as the globe and the breast as the chimney,” Hanh said. “There was an interesting parallel between a woman’s body and the Vietnamese oil lamp, which I had brought for use in my work at the festival”.

Hanh made drafts on her laptop before painting her model.

My Hanh faced many difficulties on the following day. She did not bring an airbrush to Austria, because she thought that she could buy one upon arrival. When she discovered that no airbrushes were available in Seeboden, she had to use her hands.

Nearly halfway through the allotted time, My Hanh’s friend brought her an airbrush. My Hanh raced to complete her work on time. While other artists had two or even three assistants, Hanh worked alone, but received warm support from the audience and her model.

Bringing attention to Vietnamese artists

Some other works at the festival.

My Hanh’s work attracted many visitors, especially foreign photographers, because she employed piece-techniques while Western artists favored realistic techniques.

My Hanh also hung a Vietnamese flag at her tent. Many people expressed surprise on learning that she was Vietnamese.

“I hoped that through my participation in the World Body Painting Festival 2009, Vietnam’s body painting would be more well-known and that more Vietnamese artists will have the opportunity to take part in such festivals,” Hanh says.

VietNamNet/Tuoi Tre