Artist Ed Fairburn conveys the complexities of a human being by creating their portrait on large scale maps. He manages to manipulate the chaotic mess of road, rails and rivers in order to create the semblance of a person. What was once hidden in the depths of each geographic image has been brought to the surface by Ed Fairburn.
Using ink or pencil, Ed Fairburn deals in the figurative. Although his work spans over various surfaces and contexts, his map portraits are particularly arresting. This Is Colossal likens Ed Fairburn to "a sculptor carving a subject from a block of stone or a constellation highlighted in a clump of stars," because he is able to pull out a stunning vision from nothing.
Map-Made Portraits
Artist Ed Fairburn Creates Human Depictions Using the Chaotic Lines of an Atlas
Trend Themes
1. Map-made Portraits - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring new artistic techniques that merge maps and portraiture.
2. Manipulating Geographic Images - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing software or tools that facilitate the manipulation and extraction of artistic elements from map data.
3. Figurative Art on Unconventional Surfaces - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating innovative platforms or materials for artists to showcase their figurative art on unconventional surfaces, such as maps.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating technology and traditional art practices to push the boundaries of artistic expression.
2. Mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Innovating mapping technologies to enable artists and designers to incorporate geographic data into their creative processes.
3. Printing and Digital Imaging - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancing printing and digital imaging technologies to accurately reproduce intricate details and textures found in map-made portraits.