Articulating the sensation of disconnection, these paintings by Matthew Weatherstone illustrate the detachment between self and environment. The artwork is reminiscent of the process of willful escapism -- reading, watching a movie -- wherein people try to enter a different world in search of exciting sensations and experiences. By centering these images around recognizable scenery -- the forest, waterfront -- Matthew Weatherstone is describing our growing disconnection from our own natural environment.
‘The Disconnect’ by Matthew Weatherstone demonstrates how the rise in both urbanization and digitization is making the natural increasingly more distant and foreign. Like the girl in the painting, people may soon be left trying to peer into a reality once new and cherished.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Reconnecting with Nature
- Opportunities for creating experiences that help individuals to feel more connected with the natural environment.
- Escapism in the Digital Age
- Opportunities for leveraging technology to create immersive experiences that offer an alternative to everyday reality.
- Art as a Reflection of Society
- Opportunities for artists and creators to reflect on and respond to societal changes and trends through their work.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Art and Design
- Opportunities for artists and designers to create pieces that speak to the growing disconnect between society and nature.
- Technology and Entertainment
- Opportunities for technology and entertainment companies to create immersive experiences that offer users an escape from reality.
- Sustainable Tourism
- Opportunities for companies in the tourism industry to offer experiences that help people reconnect with nature in a sustainable way.
