Body Art

Shaping

While some forms of body art mostly mark the body surface (the skin, hair, nails), other body adornments radically alter the silhouette or the actual shape of the body. Perhaps more so than in other forms of adornment such alterations are often based on a culturally validated aesthetic rather than on issues of role or status within the community.

Click on an image below to find out more about body shaping.

Corsetry Footbinding Headbinding Cosmetic Surgery

Body Art site sections

Australian Museum site sections

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