The Melbourne-based body artist has taken out the Fluoro Award at the World Bodypainting Festival in Klagenfurt, Austria.

Melbourne-based body artist Andra Budaie has brought home first prize in the UV category at the World Bodypainting Festival in Austria this year. For the self-taught St Kilda artist, who runs her studio Inner Colour Body Art and performs under the name Andra Cadabra, this was her first time competing internationally and only her second competition to date. Budaie began competing last year, when she took out the title of UV Artist of the Year at the Australian Body Art Awards.

The World Bodypainting Festival, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2017, offers professional body artists the opportunity to compete for world championship titles in several techniques such as brush and sponge, airbrush or special effects. In addition to elaborate, often surrealistic body art, the finished creation often involves latex make-up and startling costumes or headdresses.

^{Andra Budaie’s winning artwork at the World Bodypainting Festival. Photo © Andra Budaie}

The World Fluoro Award is in a category all its own, for the use of body paints which fluoresce under ultraviolet light. To win the title, Budaie demonstrated her artistry by opting for a purely paint approach featuring intricate detailing, but without accessories. She also had to design a three-minute, circus-style show for the presentation under black light. In a twist on the award’s Utopian theme this year, the performance culminated in the destruction of Budaie’s human artwork as the model was covered in glowing paint.

For Budaie, the win still feels quite surreal. “It has taken a while to sink in,” she told Limelight. “I am very happy to have pushed through the pressure of a high-profile competition and also that I’ve ardently followed my passion; to see it paid off is such a wonderful feeling.”

“I am grateful to have had a beautiful, talented team of performers who have portrayed my concept and idea seamlessly and my main painted model wowed the audience with her dance performance,” Budaie said. “I am a tad obsessed with detail, and I am content with having showcased a very intricate piece, considering the time limitations of the competition. I feel this was a significant and appreciated point of difference for the international judges and the audience alike.”

“I was extremely excited to bring this idea to life,” she said. “The finale was, for me, the apogee of this creative pursuit. The moment the model destroyed the body painting, covering herself in glowing paint to symbolise letting go of inner darkness and becoming the light, her higher self.”

^{The destruction of Budaie’s artwork with glowing paint. Photo © Daniel Janesch}

Competing in the championship threw up a number of challenges for Budaie. “One of the challenges was having to create two costumes for the show last-minute, as I could not travel with them from Australia,” she said. “So I basically put something together right before the competition with limited materials. However, limitations stimulate creativity and this was a test I enjoyed! I have new-found love for costume-making!”

“Another challenge was having to portray a complex, profound and abstract concept through the three-minute stage show, and get a clear message across, while still maintaining some mystery,” she said. “It was also challenging learning to relax, trust and enjoy the process, as it can be a stressful, demanding and high-energy environment – especially for a first timer – but it is also a lot of fun!”

^{Andra Budaie and model Bianca Darkwood. Photo © Daniel Janesch.}

What does the win mean for Budaie’s career moving forward? “Firstly it gives me the confidence that my decision to carve my own path is a valuable one, and one to stick to. And a green light to embrace my eccentricity,” she said. “There will certainly be expansion. I will start focusing more heavily on live body art performances – which I enjoy enormously!”

“Recently I have been invited to teach body painting in Australia and overseas,” Budaie said. “However I am mostly driven by innovation and offering something novel and original. I have started exploring new avenues as I would like to create shows bringing together many disciplines (music, performance, body art). I also see myself being more involved with film and music videos.”

“I also feel it’s extremely important to use my voice as an artist, and my creations, to raise awareness about issues that need to be discussed,” she said, “and to send out a positive message that hopefully inspires change.”