If I had to classify my art as a specific genre or style, I would probably define it as lowbrow, which is often referred to as "pop surrealism" or "neo-surrealism". Lowbrow is a genre that emerged in the late 20th century, characterized by its irreverent, humorous, and sometimes grotesque imagery. Drawing inspiration from popular culture, comic books, street art, and underground subcultures. With its roots in the punk and DIY movements, like me, lowbrow art is seen to celebrate the unconventional and rejects traditional artistic norms.
Creation Trumps Creator by Robert Williams
Drawing from the raw energy and rebellious spirit of street art, incorporating its techniques and aesthetics. Graffiti lettering, stencil art, wheat pasting, and mural painting are all common elements that feature in lowbrow art. Moreover, the themes explored in street art, such as urban decay, political activism, and cultural diversity, resonate strongly with the ethos of lowbrow artists.
Having had a profound influence on the development of lowbrow art, street art has served as a source of inspiration and a platform for artistic expression outside the confines of traditional galleries. By blurring the distinction between high and low culture, street art has played a pivotal role in legitimizing the lowbrow art movement and fostering greater acceptance of unconventional artistic practices. Together, these two movements continue to challenge societal norms and redefine the boundaries of contemporary art.
Pop cultural influences are also pervasive, helping shape the visual language and thematic content of lowbrow. With inspiration from iconic figures, cartoons, movies, and consumer products, artists take joy in reimagining them in unconventional and often subversive ways. From superheroes to advertising imagery, pop culture serves as both subject matter and critique in lowbrow art.
Celebrating the mundane and elevating kitsch to the realm of fine art.
By appropriating and remixing familiar cultural symbols, lowbrow artists engage viewers in a dialogue about the culture and the power dynamics inherent in mass media. Including surreal juxtapositions, twisted interpretations of popular icons, and a fascination with the macabre. Artists in this genre often employ bold colours, exaggerated forms, and whimsical narratives to create visually striking works that challenge viewers' perceptions.
Easter Sunday Donation 2020 by Todd Schorr
As mentioned, the key themes of lowbrow art include irreverence, humour, and surrealism. With artists often exploring themes of kitsch, satire, and the grotesque, to challenge traditional artistic norms. Through celebrating the unconventional and rejecting elitism, and embracing a DIY ethos, lowbrow invites viewers to engage with art on a visceral level.
Reflecting the movement's rebellious spirit.
Delving into the complexities of the human condition, Lowbrow art often explores themes such as alienation, anxiety, and existentialism. Artists capture the absurdity and contradictions of modern life. They depict the human experience with a mixture of humour and poignancy, confronting societal norms and challenging conventional notions of identity. Lowbrow offers a raw and unfiltered perspective on the human psyche, inviting viewers to confront their innermost fears and desires. In doing so, it provides a cathartic outlet for self-expression and a mirror for reflecting on the complexities of being human in a rapidly changing world.
Valerian Fever Dream by Camille Rose Garcia
While lowbrow art has faced criticism for its perceived lack of sophistication, its proponents argue that it provides a refreshing alternative to the elitism of the traditional art world, democratizing creativity.
In summary, and without even aiming for a ‘style’ or place to sit in the many art forms and movements, through definition, I think I find myself as a lowbrow artist. Having referred to myself as a Pop surrealist before, this isn’t a massive stretch of my journey in identifying who and where I sit in the world of art, and certainly isn’t a definitive definition. In this field there are many notable lowbrow artists including Robert Williams, who is often credited as one of the pioneers of the movement, as well as contemporaries like Mark Ryden, Camille Rose Garcia, and Todd Schorr. I recommend that you check out their fantastic work and dive into the darkness of their minds also.
Cover photo by Tim Hüfner on Unsplash