As cyclical and tumultuous the art world may seem, certain art trends really do stand out and find their way to the top, at least for a certain period of time. Have the ‘90s made a comeback yet? Are the early 2000s the new retro already? What is the color palette that is in nowadays? What art style should you use to decorate your home with? So many questions float around before you can find the right art trend for this summer. But worry not, we’re here to help! We’re just about halfway through 2019 and already some art trends and styles have proven to be most dominant in the art industry. If you want to get it right this year, you’re at the right place. Here are the top 5 art trends you need to be on the lookout for this summer.
The New Neutrals
One of the most dominant art trends from the past few years that seems to have reached its peak this year is the new neutrals: grey, beige, white, light pink and other similar hues have become the most sought after palette. The soothing, pale notes of lavender, lilac, tea rose, mint, and hazy grey have become an essential part of almost every home décor. The gently joyful flavors of these colors invoke a certain feeling of retro and melancholy, and even though they are by no means a new style, the pale reign has come forth again. The neutral shades work wonderfully with almost any interior design, they provide a soft backdrop with a distinct taste, creating an interesting mix of warm and cold visual sensations. You may think the new neutrals resemble an old-timey look, and to a certain extent they do, but a little splash of light peach pink, or soft grey, combined with an interesting pattern and perhaps a bouquet of light flowers, will undoubtedly bring a new life to this renowned color palette.
Wellness
On a somewhat lighter note, wellness has come to be a prominent art trend in 2019, and even though the concept is no novelty, the well-being has made its reflection seen in the art world. “Food for the soul” is how many people would describe art in general, and going by that definition it should come as no surprise that most folks want to find something soothing, inspiring, and calm in the artworks they patron. Paintings of simple scenes, black and white photos, sculptures based on subtlety, and artworks of unambiguous nature have been prominent in both the critic's niche and the consumer's market.
Since wellness, spirituality, stress-reduction and being one with oneself have been dominating our lives from the food we consume to pretty much every other daily activity, it’s no wonder the trend has spilled over into the world of art. Whether created by highly-esteemed artists or simply DIY art aficionados, meditative artworks, which are potentially supposed to create a calming atmosphere and invoke spirituality, are on the rise.
Maximalism
Unlike the aforementioned trend of wellness and neutrality in art, maximalism leans more into the in-your-face kind of approach and tends to leave the viewer confused, shocked or even questioning everything that has been established as style thus far. Nonetheless, it has made a big impact in 2019 and if you’re looking to be on-trend with the current fad – maximalism is the ticket you need. Intricate designs, lavish layering, bold colors, clashing of different styles in one artwork, everything that just screams a statement piece… That is maximalism in its essence. Highly stylized and lustrous graphic compositions are at the forefront of this impactful art genre that seems to be taking over 2019.
Nature
As a sort of a middle ground between the soothing character of wellness and the outlandish approach of maximalism, nature-inspired art brings us back to the roots of life’s very existence in all of its beautiful forms. This trend includes everything nature-related; from simple prints and paintings featuring flamingos, palm leaves or some kind of scenery, all the way to the artworks made out of actual palm leaves, natural wood sculptures, or abstract samples of the nature around us. Botanical-inspired art featuring heavy green tones, natural hues, and earthy vibes has been taking over both the gallery spaces and the art consumers’ homes. Nature is older than us all, and will indubitably outlive us all, so it’s safe to say as an art theme it never goes out of style, but in 2019 nature-inspired art has bloomed.
Bespoke Art
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the term ‘bespoke art’, and not everyone is 100% certain what it actually means. To put it simply, bespoke art means ‘custom made’, in other words – artwork that is made specifically for you. With the growing demand for custom things, items designed, built and created to fit your needs, desires, and wishes, it’s no wonder the trend reached the art world. From furniture and clothing to sculptures, paintings, street art, and home décor, artists are being commissioned to create more and more bespoke art. The role of technology and digital communication certainly played its part in the rise of this trend. It is now much easier and possible to discover, access, commission, trade and create art with and for people from all over the world. Whether it’s a small painting for your bedroom or an entire bespoke art installation for private clients, these custom made orders are growing in demand. On one hand, it means more and more original and unique artworks are being made, but on the other, it is up to the owner to decide whether they want to share it with the world or keep it private.