Want to know what 2024 will look like? Us too! So at drawdeck, we identified six art themes to watch out for – all guided by recent cultural shifts, technology and artisans.

When you work within the art industry, your stock-in-trade focuses on the details. Compositions need to be perfect, brush strokes to show details or when it comes to digital art it needs to be pixel perfect. With the creative world moving more quickly than ever, this can be a challenge. So, you essentially need to be ten steps ahead, with one eye on the present and another on the near future. As 2023 was certainly all about the controversy surrounding AI-generated art with concerns about creativity, originality, copyright and the impact on the art market. With that in mind, we wanted to know some of the big themes of 2024. 

This article shares six themes that we feel will be trending through 2024.

Landscapes Sanctuaries

In an era increasingly characterised by environmental concerns and societal anxieties, the revival of landscape art emerges as a profound narrative. These artworks are likely to function as visual sanctuaries, providing solace and a means of escape. Expect a diverse range of serene settings, such as majestic mountains evoking a sense of awe and tranquility, tranquil seascapes embodying the calming presence of the ocean, or verdant botanical studies capturing the intricate beauty of flora. These landscapes will not simply serve as artistic representations but will symbolise a collective yearning for a deeper connection with nature. They are poised to offer a visual counterpoint to the chaos of modern life, granting viewers a moment of peace and contemplation.

Hyperreality

This theme aims to immerse the viewer in an alternative, hyperreal world, either literally or figuratively. In the case of the former, it involves integrating augmented reality to offer viewers fresh, new, and often surreal ways to experience the world around us. In the case of the latter, it entails using vibrant colours and eclectic design elements to create saturated and eclectic aesthetics, embracing a glossy and glamorous aesthetic that celebrates boldness.

Candy Sweet Nostalgia

This trend evokes the essence of 1950s Americana. "Envision Cadillacs, Barbie pink, Palm Springs, and enduring charm," suggests Ed. "Colour palettes embrace candy-sweet hues that radiate positivity, presenting an ever-sunny aesthetic that paints a picture of a world where the sun is ceaselessly shining. To witness examples of this style, explore the Barbie movie and Wes Anderson's Asteroid City.

AI Art

The incorporation of AI into art has caused a fundamental shift. Collaborative efforts in AI-assisted artworks, where artists engage with generative AI tools, are poised to redefine the boundaries of creativity. These collaborations hold the potential to yield hybrid artworks, seamlessly blending human creativity with machine intelligence, thereby challenging conventional notions of artistry and authorship. Moreover, AI-generated art is anticipated to establish a unique aesthetic niche, introducing an entirely new genre of art distinct from human creations.

As mentioned, this has been a widely discussed and influential topic within the last 12 months, and we fully comprehend its significance since we started out that artists should always be paid for their art. However, for our studio side we have embraced AI within our projects this year, our standpoint is that AI is here to stay and should be viewed as a tool, not a replacement for creativity. As creatives it is our responsibility to continuously learn and adapt alongside emerging tools, with AI being one of them. Exploring ways to incorporate AI into our workflows has been both enjoyable and enlightening but also amusing at times, reassuring to discover its limitations. We often jest that it's akin to having an intern – requiring substantial guidance, numerous trial and error attempts, and a clear understanding of the desired outcome from the outset.

3D art

A prominent art trend anticipated in 2024 is 3D Wall Art, surpassing traditional flat canvases. Artists are delving into the realm of three-dimensional wall art, exploring sculptures that appear to leap off the wall, interactive installations responsive to viewers' presence, and immersive projections that transform physical spaces. These pieces promise a multi-sensory experience, introducing a dynamic element to the art-viewing experience. It's a fusion of sculpture, architecture, and technology, shaping a new kind of art that is equally about the space it occupies as it is about the visual experience it delivers.

Textile

We certainly noticed an increase in our hotel projects on this one. Similar to folk art, textile art seamlessly combines art and craft, displaying intricate patterns and vibrant colors crafted from modest materials. Artists in this medium may create traditional items such as macramé, woven tapestries or tufted compositions. Textile pieces not only infuse spaces with warmth and character but also pay homage to the skilled artisans responsible for their creation. This interest is the exact opposite to the clean computer gentrated art where the hand of the artist is apparent, and a sense of how it was made can resonate.