Body Artist Basma Shaheen Creates 3 Dimensional Human Canvases

Monday August 19, 2019                               By: Eman Ahmed 

49629764_423191544887393_123691115344822272_nWith passion for painting and a talent in special effects makeup, Body Artist Basma Shahin is revolutionizing the art scene in Egypt through her 3D human canvases. A graduate from the Faculty of Fine Arts in 2019, Shahin had worked as a cinematic makeup artists on the set of some short movies and plays. While in college, she developed a passion for Body Art, and started studying the works of western artists in this field. Shahin is a fan of American body artist Alexa Meade, who is best known for her paintings in the same field.

67627251_2359839477598805_5890699091305824256_nBasma works in her art studio, downtown Cairo. For her paintings, she improvises to create colorful artistic scenes. With the themes vivid in her mind, she first selects the colors, backgrounds, the décor and costumes. She blends  these elements to create an integrated piece of artwork. She brings her setting to life by adding the human element into the scene.  She uses the human body as her canvas and paint on his/her face, body and costume to create a live artwork piece. Her creations are overwhelmly admired, She always receives comments like, “Is this really a real human body or Is it a digital painting?”

67696595_2359839567598796_3772721387593007104_n“It takes about half an hour to paint a model’s body,” Basma Shahin told Women of Egypt.  She uses special non-toxic paints that are gently applied on the skin. In comparison, it takes more time to draw a suitable background, pick special clothes, set the location and lighting. She also uses professional photographers to shoot her portraits. “Both the models and photographers always gets excited about the idea,” Shahin added.

49496907_417934768746404_8470249976767709184_n.jpgShahin wishes her work brings attention to Body Art and that this technique be used in commercials, video clips, musical plays, musical films and opera performances in Egypt. She hopes she can have young Egyptian celebrities model for her paintings. She aspires to participate in International theatre performances and for an Egyptian Body Art Festival.

49213473_423565841516630_2687631143305478144_n

49742689_417935025413045_189636584373485568_n.jpg

48393383_411381226068425_3209228086449012736_n

67730240_2359839604265459_699156904114388992_n

Photos via Basma Shaheen Facebook page

Visit Basma Shaheen Facebook page to view more of her artwork here

***If you liked this article, subscribe to the magazine and receive our articles in your email.

2 comments

Leave a comment