Can Art Be Funny? Art in general has been one of the earliest known pieces of evidence of human intelligence back in ancient times. Evolving through the centuries that have passed, art has undergone a lot of transformations since the first versions of artworks have been documented in caves and other natural formations.
And while art has steadily grown alongside human behavior, the manner of unleashing one’s creativity has also experienced a higher level of respect. Dating back to iconic periods which have seen a massive development in the arts such as the Renaissance Period, there is a certain level of sophistication and class that art in itself is able to command.
With art being treated as a luxury especially back in the times of the great legendary artists such as the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci and Vincent Van Gogh — the practice of creating paintings and other forms of art also exudes a particular aura of seriousness.
It was almost an unspoken rule that the great classical art pieces of human history had to be treated with a certain reverence and solemnity that it deserves. But then, the question is, does art really have to be a serious matter?
While it is indeed true that art in history does not only stand for creative expression alone but also as a representation of the history of mankind and how we as a species have evolved intellectually and creatively — is it a subtle requirement that art should be taken so seriously all the time?
Well, the simple answer to that question is, no. Art is the perfect example of the freedom of people to channel their emotions into their pieces without worrying over any boundaries or restrictions as to the set of emotions one can pour over to their works.
In fact, the presence of humor and comedy in art has been increasingly appreciated during the turn of the 20th century when contemporary art was also beginning to spread all over the industry.
Breaking down the barriers of the so-called “sophistication” of art, contemporary artists have turned to making parodies of classical works such as the Mona Lisa and a blend of different art styles to create pieces that are obviously set to invoke humor in their audience.
One of the most popular examples of humor in creativity is cartoon art. Some of the world’s favorite cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and the iconic duo Tom and Jerry have all been created by hand through the efforts of creative artists and animators.
Simply put, art can indeed be funny. Whether it’s for satirical purposes or just basically inciting laughter from people of all ages and from all walks of life, the presence of humor in art is a crystal clear example of how art has evolved in modern times. By making art funny, more people are able to relate to it without reservation.
To have humor in art is to humanize how people are able to directly channel their inner feelings and thoughts into their pieces without having to consider the invisible boundaries and predispositions such as art should be “classy”. To be funny is to be human.
If you want to see more of my humorous artwork check out my new book called Art available to buy.