March 01, 2021
By Chelsea Reed
What will the future look like for art in 2021 and beyond? It’s a burning question that has left many folks guessing. Some brave industry experts dove in and found exciting trends that are growing and will carry over. Other trends are crossbreeding to form something new. These are their predictions. Sit back and put on your seatbelt as we ride into the future of art with these new trends for 2021.
Trend #1: More Online Art Shows
If there’s one thing the art industry has learned from last year, it’s the importance of the online marketplace. Artists and galleries found themselves navigating a topsy-turvy world with quarantines and lockdowns. Fortunately, new possibilities were available with the power of the internet. Now online art shows have more attention than ever. Patrons can expect to see even more of their beloved artwork from the comfort and safety of their homes. As always, Seaside Art Gallery is ready to showcase the best art online. Thanks for your support!
Vitruvian Son by Debra Kierce, oil painting on board
Trend #2: The Marriage of Science and Art
From raw Mars photos to Earth selfies, more people see nature's beauty with the power of science. Now, the desire to protect nature’s assets has grown. Artists are experimenting with the relations between science and art in many ways. There is a fascinating avant-garde trend of “green” artwork that’s cropping up in cities. Art made with recyclable materials is being showcased. Some artists featured at Seaside Art Gallery once studied science and biology themselves. David Hunter, Lee Mims, and Karen Latham are a few examples.
Summer Delight by Lee Mims, oil painting
Trend #3: Plants are the Star of the Show
Following the art-science trend is naturally the beauty of garden plants. Get ready to see more artwork featuring gorgeous blooms and greenery! Some plants to especially watch for are the designated 2021 “plants of the year.” 1-800 Flowers picked the joyful Sunflower and Maranta Prayer Plant. The National Garden Bureau also chose the Sunflower, along with the hardy Hibiscus. These plants are showstopping subjects in real life and artwork.
We are Neither Pets nor Food, by Liat Polotsky, watercolor painting
Trend #4: Surreal and Abstract Art Will Start Conversations
The Surrealism and Abstract genres have attracted much attention for a long time. It looks like this will continue in 2021. Recent years show that the values of surrealist pieces from Salvador Dali and Joan Miro are going up. These unusual-looking genres often convey specific messages or ideas instead of images alone. They definitely have a lot to say. They’re a great conversation starter for that next Zoom call or private get-together.
Bearly Curious by Rebecca Latham, watercolor painting
Trend #5: Soft Curves and Textures are Taking Over
People all over the world shifted priorities as they spent more time at home. One of them is the growing “hygge” trend, pronounced “hoo-gah." It’s an old Danish concept that describes the warm fuzzy feelings you get with family and friends. But the complex definition resembles a hug, and it means so much more. Hygge is when you watch a movie with your loved one on the couch. It’s when you look out the snowy window from inside with a glowing candle. Or, it’s swapping stories with friends by the fire. In the art world, you might get hygge when you stumble upon an adorable painting of your favorite animal. Or it could be a tender moment captured in art. What a wonderful trend to get into!
If you’re pining for more hygge at home, keep an eye out for things with soft edges, curves, textures, and plush. Sculptures and some art pieces encompass 3D textures. Others are painted with so much detail, you can almost pet them!
A Brave New World
2021 is still a new year with great potential and exciting opportunities. More or less, it is what we will make of it. These trends are a thoughtful reflection of who we are and where we are going. They remind us how we perceive art as individuals and life as we know it. What new thing will you focus on today that you wouldn’t have thought about a few years ago? How have you grown as a person? A commemorative art piece is a great way to remember an important personal milestone. Browse Seaside Art Gallery’s collection to find yours.
Chelsea Reed is a copywriter who writes online content, articles, blogs, and websites from her base in North Carolina
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