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13:17 GMT, Monday, 8 September 2008 14:17 UK

In pictures: Body art in Venezuela

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Body painting is one form of art on show during Venezuela's World Body Art Festival. The event explores various ways of using the human body as both the subject and prime material.

The model, Yoer Bolaños has his body painted

The model, Yoer Bolaños has his body painted

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This work depicts the many unsolved murders that take place in Venezuela. "This is a great opportunity to make a criticism of society, of something that really happens," says artist Alexander Marcano.

Painter at work

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"The peacock symbolises the beauty of a woman," says Yramis Narvaez. "The bird is standing by bamboo. It turns from green to brown but retains its strength. A woman too grows stronger."

A painted model poses for the camera

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This is Yramis's work near to completion. Each model has to stand for at least six hours as the artist turns them into living paintings.

Painter at work

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Artist Penelope Riviera from Mexico, explores the theme of death. "You could paint the same design 100 times on a body and every time it would be different," she says.

Painter at work on model

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Artist and model had to work together for this piece to come to life. "I'm trying to portray the snake in a different light. Ever since...Adam and Eve it's had a bad reputation," says Jose Pepe Calabrez.

Model poses

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Cristina Antoneli is also an artist but this time has let herself become the canvas and given control to Jose. "It's like a performance. You have to work with the painting".

Model undergoes painting

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Ramari Barcelo describes the experience of being painted as "amazing but hard to describe". She says: "As a ballerina I'm used to performing, but this is something quite different."

Painted model having a break

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Ever seen a skeleton texting? This one, still needing a backbone, takes a well earned break from being a human canvas.

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