The great thing about art is that it is dynamic and never static. The art industry has certainly evolved significantly over the last 40 years, with the development of museums, presence on social media platforms, and exhibitions, as well as the sheer volume of work currently being created, presented, and purchased. Now that we are onto the quarter of another year, fads and trends have risen and faded. The widespread availability of various art forms, particularly paintings, and the greater emphasis on art as an asset have had immense impact on all of the institutions that surround modern art, including museum purchase and display, art criticism, and, in some cases, the production of artworks itself. We have seen so many trends rise over the past few years thanks to various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and more recently, TikTok. These trends are shaping the way we create and look at art– the rise of art activism, social revolution, protests, revival of traditionalism, and so forth are some of the recurring themes that we have seen all over the internet lately. So, what are the painting trends for 2023 that you should watch out for? Are they worth the hype? Should you try it yourself? Find out the answers to these questions in this article. Keep on reading if you wanna learn more!
Although the future is unpredictable, several things are certain: environmental degradation, altering demography, and geopolitics. The only certainty is that there will be shifting trends and fads, both good and bad. It is worthwhile to contemplate how artists will respond to these developments, as well as the purpose of art today and in the coming future. As we have observed, history tells us that art has been altered dramatically during the last century and a half. Artists abandoned the classical tradition in favor of new technologies and aesthetic standards, while art historians switched their attention from the conventional study of aesthetic to a more unconventional form of art aiming for self-expression and misrepresentation of human reality.
Art certainly has a future that will continue to expand out into new innovations, including the use of new technologies. Both Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality experiences are wonderful techniques to produce immersive artworks in which the audience may interact with the artwork through the use of a headset or other gadgets. These are just some of the dynamic shifts that we have seen in the art world over the past few years. We may not be certain how long these trends will last, but let's enjoy them while we can. With that, let's take a look at some of the painting trends for 2023 that you should watch out for.
Next Big Things: Painting Trends for 2023
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NFT artworks:
Have you heard of NFTs or Non-fungible Tokens? This is a quite confusing concept, and more recently, an art form that’s taking all over the internet. NFTs may be anything virtual and digital (such as sketches, audio, and video game items), but the current buzz is focused on exploiting the technology to sell digital art, mainly digital paintings. NFTs reside on a blockchain, which is a distributed public ledger that keeps proper books of accounts and transactions. You've definitely heard of blockchain as the fundamental technique that allows cryptocurrencies to exist. NFTs are commonly kept on the Ethereum blockchain, however they can also be held on other blockchain systems. NFTs are basically a great way for digital artists to sell their art, given that it can be sold to a much more expensive price and it’s on demand right now.
NFTs are basically digital collector's items, similar to actual collector's items like fine art. Rather than receiving a physical painting to put on the wall, the customer receives a digital file. They will also have sole rights of ownership. This means that NFTs can only have one owner at a time which makes them special and on-demand. The distinctive data of NFTs makes it simple to verify provenance and trade tokens among holders.
They can also be used to hold particular information by the owner or designer. Artists, for example, can sign their artwork by putting their signature in the metadata of an NFT artwork.
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Paintings addressing social contemporary issues:
Many artists have dedicated their paintings and other artworks as tools to voice out their emotions and sentiments regarding different social issues that have been affecting mankind. Scientific issues are increasingly capturing the imagination and creativity of the artists, from the danger of environmental issues to the potential of space travel. Artists, in particular, are utilizing their techniques to investigate the thrill, fear, and activism that characterize the changing landscape of our world. Thus, cultural identity has been increasingly evident in art. Different movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter campaigns as well as other issues like LGBTQ+ issues, border politics, and war become increasingly prominent as a theme in street paintings and murals. Art will grow more diversified and more inclusive which allows other cultures to showcase their uniqueness, too. This significant movement in art provides a chance to be a part of something larger and to constantly rekindle a conversation about where we are today and where we are heading in the future.
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Digital paintings:
One of the painting trends for 2023 is the creation of paintings digitally. However, the transition to digital art is not a new phenomenon; it has been a major art movement since the 1960s but art digitization has accelerated starting 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many artists also experiment with the use of technology available on hand. If creating NFTs isn’t specifically your thing, then you can still create digital art without having to deal with the complicated side of the blockchain (the bright side is that you can trade your digital art for actual money). We have seen the trend for creating paintings digitally over the past few years because it is cheaper, more accessible, convenient, and faster to make. Thus, if you’re an artist on the go, this type of art is ideal because you only have to bring your gadget with you– no mess, no bulky bag full of materials, and you can literally make art anywhere you go.
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Abstract paintings:
Used to be the most hated art trend, abstract art has been popular since the late 20th century and it seems like it will stay in the trendy list for years to come. Abstract art is popular, and many art collectors up to this day at least have one expensive abstract painting hanging in their house. This is one of the painting trends for 2023 that truly showcase creativity, originality, and rebellion to the conventional approach. Abstract art, contrary to popular belief, has not died. Abstract art, as one of today's most prominent art trends, is widely popular, even in the masses, which is quite surprising since this art form was once considered as 'not art'.
Final Insights
There is a consistent flare for the unpredictable in these contemporary art trends, whether it's a unique nature painting, a bizarre collectible NFT, an obscure abstract expressionism painting, or a mural showcasing cultural diversity. These painting trends for 2023 have made artists and collectors alike to seek for ways to brighten their surroundings and provide a doorway into the unusual, no matter how big or little. Though these new trends signify the start of another year, their ideas and artistic techniques are enduring.
