A Melbourne artist has pioneered a new form of painting, using her dreadlocks as brushes. Jayne Barker, 32, is the creator of 'Dread Art', where the tips of her hair serve as paintbrushes. However, the process is sacrificial: she can only paint six times a year, as the paint-stained tips must be cut off after each session.
Barker's partner first noticed the resemblance between her dreadlock tips and a soft paintbrush. 'It was a while before we acted on the idea,' she said. 'It wasn't until I moved to London in 2013 that we actually gave it a go and realised this was a really unique and fun way to create art.'
The artist often collaborates with other painters, who each grab a dreadlock and paint together. Fellow dread artist Max Kaskamanidis said: 'When I began painting with Jayne's hair, I was fascinated by the uniqueness of it, and the challenges that it brought. Kids seem to think it's magical.'
Barker describes Dread Art as a 'sacrificial art' because of the required haircuts. 'We can only paint about six times a year because my dreads are naturally grown. After each painting session, I have to trim the ends,' she explained.
