Be Inspired by Uncanny Art

Art can blur the line between reality and fantasy, evoking both fascination and unease. Drawing from the impact of surrealism and abject art, we’ll explore how artists have tapped into the uncanny to challenge perceptions and capture the rather unsettling beauty of the unknown.

What is uncanny art?

Uncanny art is a more modern genre associated with Sigmund Freud’s ideas around the contrast of the familiar with the unfamiliar, creating a sense of unease in the viewer. This artistic concept was initially introduced by German psychiatrist Ernst Jentsch in his 1906 essay, “On the Psychology of the Uncanny.” Jentsch characterises the uncanny, or ‘unheimlich’ in the original German, as something unfamiliar and novel, often encouraging negative feelings before more positive reactions. Utilising the distortion of ordinary objects or landscapes in unanticipated ways, uncanny art evokes stronger reflection upon themes of identity, reality, and our human subconscious.

If you need a break from the mundane and you want your art to challenge the norms, we’ve gathered a collection of must-see artworks just for the occasion!

Contemporary surrealism

Surrealism is making a comeback as contemporary artists tap into dreams, cities and seascapes, bizarre combinations of objects and abstract ideas. Rooted in the early 20th century movement pioneered by artists like André Breton and Salvador Dalí, surrealism aimed to break free from traditional notions of reality.

Surrealism’s dreamlike and uncanny imagery still inspires artists today, blending various techniques to craft strange, otherworldly scenes that blur the line between reality and imagination.

What’s even more exciting is how surrealism has moved beyond just paintings and sculptures. Now, artists are creating new experiences by blending photography, painting and found objects in a singular artwork.

Uncanny art, in this sense, is all about allowing yourself to step into surreal environments and feel like you’re a part of the artwork. It’s no longer just about looking at art — it’s about experiencing it in a whole new, immersive way.

Uncanny portraiture

For centuries, portraiture has been a key part of artistic expression, capturing not just what people look like, but who they are. Traditionally, portraits aimed to reflect someone’s personality or status. However, today’s artists are pushing beyond those classic approaches. They’re experimenting with new techniques, materials, and ideas to give us a fresh, uncanny look at the human form.

Whether through abstract interpretations or mixed media, modern portraiture offers exciting and unexpected ways to explore identity and expression, with the result sometimes wandering into unsettling realms.

The obscured face and unnerving flood in Iqi Qoror’s, ‘Statement on the Stream’ is a great example of this, where a ‘beautiful’ portrait has been twisted into something deeper. Ionel Yamadjako’s ‘The connection between humans and water’ exists in a similar sphere. By removing a face – the individuality and humanity – our inability to identify casts an element of the uncanny.

Nature art and the spine-tingling factor

Nature has always been a central theme in art. But it’s not all about sweeping landscapes, pristine oceans, and sunshine meadows.

Instead of just creating scenic landscapes, artists today are using unconventional techniques and materials to raise awareness about climate change, sustainability, and humanity’s impact on the planet. Otherwise, they’re highlighting the spookier, ethereal elements that might capture the attention of the uncanny-inclined collector.

We love the eeriness in Luella Martin’s ‘Beach Path’, where the printing process has added a mysterious sepia tone as the crows fly through a misty sky.

Another good example is this atmospheric oil painting by Daniel Crawshaw, which plays with light and dark to create a sense of an impending, spooky storm. Whilst the image of a cloud plays to the familiar, Crawshaw’s use of darkness at the bottom of the canvas feels unfamiliar and subverted. The same might be said for Boo Compton’s abstract work. We are used to seeing this style as representative, but the fade to blackness in ‘The Space Between Us #1’ is quite ghostly and void-like, seeming to suck you in.

Abstract and conceptual art

Abstract and conceptual art also play a key role in exploring the uncanny by pushing the boundaries of what we recognise as reality. These styles often strip away the familiar, using shapes, colours, and ideas in ways that feel open-ended and mysterious. Rather than representing the world as we know it, these works challenge us to look for meaning in the unfamiliar.

In this sense, confronting the unknown can create a sense of unease that mirrors the unsettling beauty found in surrealist art. It’s a perfect way to step outside the ordinary and engage with art that provokes thought and curiosity.

Enrique Gonzalez’ work is recognisable for this conceptual element, taking painted body parts and placing them into furniture. The result is a unique feeling of unfamiliarity and strangeness; something that’s hard to imagine or conjure before seeing it for the first time. The same might be said for Boo Compton’s abstract work. We are used to seeing this style as representative, but the fade to blackness in ‘The Space Between Us #1’ is quite ghostly and void-like, seeming to suck you in.

In a world where the familiar often feels routine, surrealist and uncanny art can offer a refreshing escape.

So, if you’re seeking more art that sparks curiosity, keep an eye out for uncanny art at our fairs!

Main image: Bas Kosters, ‘Synergy club’, Acrylic on canvas and metal panel, 136 x 69cm, Wanrooij Gallery