Art Trends for 2023!

Have you heard of the French artist, Henri Matisse? It’s fair to say, probably not. Nevertheless, something he once said speaks volumes in the art world. “Creativity takes courage”.

One of the most important factors in becoming a successful artist is having the confidence to express your creative talents. A fascinating thing about the world of art is that it’s interpreted differently by everyone because it’s made up of so many different forms. Because of this, similarly to fashion, new trends are coming in and out of the art sector all the time.

Let’s look at some of the trends we can expect to see as we progress through 2023 and how an art degree can help you follow your passion.

Authenticity  

In 2022, we saw the popularity of digital art subside. You may have heard the saying, ‘less is more’, and this might be something that you live by if you possess creative talent. The moral of the story is that pieces of art that represent an aspect of reality are becoming more popular. We can expect to see masterpieces with a lot more text, palpable textures, and other supporting material that lures the viewer into a visual and original narrative. In summary, people are expecting to be able to play with the art and be able to resonate with it. Ultimately, a return to the tangible nature of art will be imminent.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

What is viewed as a niche form of art is the rise of AI in the sector. From being something that was originally brought into society as a science to increase the usability of computer systems, its integration into the art world can be deemed revolutionary. It can appear realistic too; you could be looking at an AI-generated work of art in a gallery and be convinced that it was painted by an artist.

In fact, AI actually started making waves in art in 2022. A key example of AI-generated art would be the Space Opera Theatre by Jason Allen which was introduced in August 2022. It accelerated the artistic use of AI by winning first prize in the ‘digital art’ category of the Colorado Art competition. Watch this space because we can expect to see more AI creations in the art world this year!

Political Works 

We know what you’re thinking… Politics and art aren’t something that you would typically see connected! However, this year, we can expect to see many more pieces that portray socio-political issues being displayed in our galleries. Artistic inspiration for this form of work could be anything from denouncing inequalities, and injustices, or highlighting underrepresented narratives. These are things that can’t just be expressed in words, we can create visual representations to get the word across too.  

Why Study an Art Degree?

Are you a creative-minded individual and would like to develop your knowledge of the contemporary art world? A bachelor’s degree in art could be an ideal step for your career journey. At the University of Bolton, our School of the Arts has been helping students flourish into aspiring artists for over 150 years. Let’s explore some of the course highlights of our degree in fine art:

- Our lecturer team are practicing artists and they teach our students in dedicated studio spaces and well-equipped workshops, where they gain the opportunity to work alongside arts organisations and gain experience in the creative sector

- Previous students have won regional and national competitions and awards, as well as prestigious commissions and artists’ residencies because of the industry connections offered by the programme

- No matter what form of art you would like to focus on, our students get to experiment with drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, photography, installation, performance, digital, and video art

- Students get the chance to showcase their work at ‘Unlocked’ each year; the Bolton School of the Arts creative showcase

- We use our public art commissioners to give you access to several exclusive commissions each year. These ‘live briefs’ provide you with invaluable experience in this evolving, creative field

Interested in joining our positive, supportive, and creative learning environment? Come and visit us at one of our upcoming Open Days and see why our students enjoy #UniAsItShouldBe. 

For more information, please contact us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call us on 01204 903807; we are here to help!