Square clear plastic pot with a round black screw-top plastic lid containing black body paint. A colourful printed paper label is stuck on three sides of the pot covered with text including the words 'Tim Gratton's Body and face paint'.

Collection type: Object
Description: Square clear plastic pot with a round black screw-top plastic lid containing black body paint. A colourful printed paper label is stuck on three sides of the pot covered with text including the words 'Tim Gratton's Body and face paint'.
Long description: This is one of four pots of body and face paint purchased on behalf of the Museum by Joshua Bell at the request of Michael O'Hanlon. They were originally intended for inclusion in the new Body Arts displays but in the end were not selected. They were purchased to illustrate the contrast in colour between the naturally occuring pigments traditionally used by New Guinea Highlanders in their body decoration and the brighter imported paints that were replacing the traditional pigments. The paints were purchased in Papua New Guinea but were made in Australia. [JP 8/5/2002] The text on the printed paper label reads as follows: " Tim Gratton, Twice World Champion Body Painter, has brought out this new product specifically designed for Body Painting. This paint should be applied straight out of the jar, it is water-based, NON-TOXIC, washes off in water and all colours are mixable (allowing the artist to mix any colour needed). It can also be spray applied, is compatible with lanolin based make-up products, ans has been formulated to dry to a matt finish that is flexible on the skin. We recommend applying a moisturiser cream under the paint. NB. Some staining of clothes may occur, suitable clothing should be worn. Tim Gratton's Body and face paint. 200 ml. Not tested on animals ...[ a list of ingredients and manufacturing information follows]. [JP 8/5/2002]
Geographical reference: Papua New Guinea
Oceania > Melanesia > Papua New Guinea; Central Province Port Moresby
Person: Maker Matisse Derivan, Concord, Australia; Field collector Joshua A. Bell; PRM source Joshua A. Bell
Date / Period: Date made: Before 2002
Date collected: 15 January 2002
Acquisition information: Purchased: 2002
Materials and processes: Material Pigment, Material Plastic Synthetic, Material Paper Plant, Process Printed, Process Machine-made
Dimensions: Height: max 84 mm, Depth: max 56 mm, Width: max 56 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 2002.15.1
Research and responses: Research carried out in advance of possible inclusion in Paintings and Techniques cases on Lower Gallery (object subsequently not chosen for display): 'Face- and body-painting are common practices among the New Guinea Highlanders for reasons of identification, ritual and beauty. The worldwide recognition of body painting as an artistic discipline has led to many specially designed products. In New Guinea these bright, soluble, synthetic paints are imported as an alternative to traditional colours sourced from natural pigments.' [HA 11/03/2009]

Search terms: Body Art, Writing, Trade, Children and Childcare, Body Art Accessory, Paint, Inscription