Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 462,450 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,984 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,984 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,213 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 462,450 cutting edge ideas.

Unsettling Surreal Art

Michael Alvarez Creates Jarring But Memorable Images

— May 29, 2011 — Art & Design
Michael Alvarez is an artist with a very specific and special skill: the ability to make a viewer uncomfortable through the gritty realism of his work.

The Los Angeles-based artist is a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. His body of work shows an artist unafraid of diversity. Michael Alvarez's portfolio contains work that can be classified as depressing as well as work that is celebratory. One of his paintings features a scared young victim of bullying as she is glared at by her tormentors, while another features a big bro-out moment as four male friends pose for a prom photo. Still another piece features a party at club populated by heavily tattooed men who are muscular and shirtless. Each painting deftly tells a story without being overbearing or too over the top.

Michael Alvarez's work has been exhibited all over the West Coast, and his style is so distinct that we can only expect to see more from him as he grows in the art world.
Trend Themes
1. Surreal Realism - Artists can explore unsettling and thought-provoking themes through gritty and realistic portrayals.
2. Emotional Diversity - Artists can express a range of emotions from depressing to celebratory, creating impactful and memorable art.
3. Narrative Storytelling - Art can effectively convey stories and messages without being overbearing or excessive, engaging viewers on multiple levels.
Industry Implications
1. Art Exhibitions - Art galleries and museums can showcase Michael Alvarez's distinct and immersive artwork to captivate audiences.
2. Art Education - Art schools and programs can use Michael Alvarez's work to teach students about the power and impact of emotional expression in art.
3. Art Market - Art collectors and buyers have the opportunity to invest in Michael Alvarez's unique and evolving style as he gains recognition within the art world.
2.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness