A Popular Trend in Art The Realm of Fantasy Art

- By Eddie Walker

Fantasy: imagination, especially when extravagant and unrestrained. The forming of mental images, especially wondrous or strange fancies; imaginative conceptualizing. A mental image, especially when unreal or fantastic; vision: a nightmare fantasy.

Fantasy Art: A Popular Trend in Art

Since the mid 1900's Fantasy art has been on a growing trend amongst the mainstream art world. Fantasy art was birthed from novels of fantasy fiction illustrations. Aside from it's origins Fantasy artworks are often created with the intention of evoking emotion and telling a unique and unseen story. This allows the artist to reach beyond their initial purpose or medium.

History of Fantasy Art

The origins of fantasy art can be traced back to 18th century literature, where fantasy fiction authors like Lewis Carrol (Alice in Wonderland, 1865) and J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit, 1937) wrote of uncanny magical realms and creatures that dwelled within them.

Over the last century fantasy literature has continued to evolve and in return evolving the expression of fantasy art—especially visual arts such as painting, sculpting, and even photography— that has allowed artists to create their own worlds or reimagine existing ones through their own creativity and imagination.

Relevance Today

Today, fantasy art continues to thrive because of its innate ability to portray epic stories and grant access to people looking to escape into uncharted worlds where anything is possible. It also gives the artist and viewer an opportunity to see themselves as something much more than what society expects them to be, leaving all limitations of thinking behind.