Although Sarah Knouse's sculptures are rather creepy-looking, there is more thought put behind each artwork other than creating a scare. In fact, the eerie presence of her creations is simply a byproduct Sarah Knouse's exploration of themes of ornamentation and superficial grandeur in domestic settings.
Based in Philadelphia, Sarah Knouse previously worked as a faux-finish painter and interior design assistant. She uses this experience in her mixed-media artwork. By questioning the meaning of the household, Sarah Knouse creates surreal settings that transcend our perception of daily life and reality.
I especially like how Sarah Knouse addresses our culture’s superficial ideals about status and identity through decoration. The interaction between possession and person is fascinating, so much so that we end up leading a dream life of sorts.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Creepy-crawly Sculptures
- Exploring the intersection of art and fear, there are opportunities to disrupt the traditional concept of beauty and provoke unconventional emotions through sculpture.
- Ornamentation and Superficial Grandeur
- Challenging the conventional notions of decoration, there is potential to disrupt the home decor industry by creating thought-provoking pieces that question the meaning and significance of ornamentation.
- Possessions and Identity
- By delving into the relationship between possessions and personal identity, there is room for disruptive innovation in the field of psychology and consumer behavior, as well as opportunities for brands to create products that resonate deeply with individuals.
Where This Applies
- Art
- The art industry can explore the use of unconventional materials and themes to create sculptures that challenge traditional aesthetics and invoke emotions beyond the realm of beauty.
- Home Decor
- The home decor industry can adopt a more thought-provoking approach to design by incorporating elements that question the meaning of ornamentation and challenge superficial grandeur.
- Psychology and Consumer Behavior
- Researchers and marketers can delve into the connection between possessions and personal identity to identify new patterns and insights that can disrupt traditional marketing strategies and product development processes.
