British artist Francis Bacon is one of the best-known figurative painters of the 20th century. Notorious for his raw, unsettling imagery that conveys psychological states and turmoils, Bacon’s paintings capture the dark side of everyday life, through ambivalent and grotesque representations of animals and human figures.
From the lavishing Roman feasts to Instagram photos of today, depictions of food have always captivated the human imagination. The fascination led to the creation of food art, a special genre of art that features food, drinks, and other edibles as the main theme or the medium for the artwork.
Contemporary African art is still highly underrepresented and misunderstood in the Western world. Drawing inspiration from traditional African artistic practices, contemporary African art is transformed by globalization. The mixture of traditional and contemporary elements remains one of the main characteristics of an art genre that is (despite many attempts) impossible to categorize.
Paula Rego is one of the most influential British and Portuguese artists, whose works served as an inspiration for countless generations to come. Culling from children literature, old folks stories, Disney cartoons and grim fairy tales, artist Paula Rego juxtaposes fantasy and reality, innocence and cruelty, to depict the contradictions of human life. By confronting the personal and the political, the artist explores complex political issues and personal family tragedies, putting women and girls at the forefront of her grotesque narratives.Â
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of fixing broken ceramics. Instead of hiding the breaks with a camouflage adhesive, or simply purchasing a new item, Kintsugi masters use lacquer dusted or mixed with gold, silver, or platinum powder, to simultaneously embellish and mend a broken item.
Wifredo Lam is one of the most eminent Cuban artists. His works reflect on the spiritual side of Cuban life and myths particularly connected to the African-inhabited area of Santeria and its many rituals. His works redefined the Western idea of “primitive†art, turning it into a narrative about the complex Cuban history of oppression and struggle.
The phenomenon of drag has existed for centuries. However, it seems that today, it is enjoying the biggest popularity and acceptance in Western culture. In itself, drag encompasses several different forms of art.Â
Cuban art closely followed the turbulent history of Cuba. As political and social conditions changed, so did the art and culture of the country. Incredibly versatile and diverse, Cuban art encompasses colonial iconography, European Cubism and Impressionism, Mexican muralism, and African and North American elements.
Feminist artists aimed to rewrite male-dominated art history and the tradition of seeing women as objects for male pleasure. Battle for gender equality and equal opportunities, led by the feminist art movement helped female artists gain grander recognition, in a male-dominated world of art.Â
Calligraphy, the art of beautiful handwriting was carefully nurtured in many parts of the world. In the Middle East, Arabic calligraphy found its way into every part of human life. It has moved beyond paper and incorporated itself into many different art forms and materials.
