Series Spotlight - Artistic Movements - Cubism

Beginning in the early twentieth century, Cubism is an artistic movement that had long-lasting consequences, changing the shape and face of both its subject matters and even the art world itself. Pioneered by the infamous Picasso and other talented artists, Cubism was an iconic rejection of tradition, challenging one of the foundational fundamentals of art itself: form. Cubismfragmented the notion of one single viewpoint and overlaid multiple angles and perspectives onto the canvas. This revolutionary multidimensional deconstruction acted as a precursor to many more iconic avant-garde artistic movements. 

In part inspired by Post-Impressionist Cézanne’s idea that nature could be reduced to basic geometric shapes alongside the almost violent colour palette of the Fauves, Cubism was indeed itself a product of its precursors. Art itself is ever evolving, ever inspiring, inextricably intertwined with artistic movements and features twisting, weaving, and sprouting new ideas. Cubism was certainly no flash in the pan and has been revisited and refreshed ever since its inception.

Like the multiple shattered perspectives on a Cubist painting, the Cubist movement itself is multifaceted. Artists like Fernand Leger, Juan Gris, Robert Delaunay, and Sylvette, a muse of Picasso who had a successful artistic career in her own right, helped to adapt and grow Cubism further, whether updating the colour palette or moving towards more prismatic or crystallineperspectives or even the progression towards Orphism and complete abstraction by removing visible subject matter entirely. Whether taking direct inspiration or creating a more modern adaptation plenty of contemporary artists have visible Cubist influences, from Holly Frean’s playing cards to Maja Gunnarsdottir’s cuboids. It is no wonder that an artistic movement with innovation at its very core is still influencing and inspiring bold and talented artists to this day.