Surreal portraits

Michele Loubser was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa in 1976. Her childhood was spent in Potchefstroom and she completed her Diploma in Fine Arts at the Tswan

Exclusive Interview with Steven Kenny, 1st Prize Winner, INPRNT Traditional Art Award, 2019 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Delve into the magically surreal compositional elements of Steven Kenny's creative visions... where anything seems possible. Let his emotive work engage your imagination and transport your artistic wanderings. In this exclusive interview (conducted by Christopher Inwood), we learn about Steven Kenny's motivation to enter the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and gain invaluable…

Rafael Silveria

When it comes to kawaii anime, there's just something so irresistibly charming about its unique blend of vibrant art, adorable characters, and heartwarming stories. Whether it’s the oversized sparkling eyes, the pastel color palettes, or the whimsical worlds they inhabit, kawaii anime has a way of drawing you in and wrapping you in a blanket of pure cuteness. From slice-of-life comedies to fantasy adventures, the genre celebrates all things sweet and wholesome, making it a favorite for those…

The people in Carl Beazley's portraits seem to be fighting internal battles to hold back their grimaces and make straight faces. His oil paintings feature young people wearing multiple expressions at once. Several small faces inhabit their full-sized heads, each one sending a conflicting signal. Some of Beazley's portraits look like a time lapse of a single gesture, while others are meant to confuse and amuse viewers with their incongruities.

These colorful, sometimes discomforting portraits by Tehran-based artist Afarin Sajedi present a unique image of strength. They are the many faces and mixed emotions of modern Iranian women, particularly the pain and joy felt upon leaving the safe walls of home. She is heavily inspired by Heinrich Boll’s Clown, seen in her use of makeup, while Gustav Klimt’s color palette strongly influences her use of agressive colors like red. This is also evident in her subject's costumes worn similarly…