# Odd Oil Artworks Alex Gross Creates Surreal Retro Japanese Oil Paintings By Peter Vallas | Published 2011-02-16 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alex-gross References: [pinktentacle](http://pinktentacle.com/2011/01/paintings-by-alex-gross/) & [alexgross](http://www.alexgross.com/paintings/index.html) American artist Alex Gross takes inspiration from various aspects around him and combines with his [surreal imagination](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tea-for-two-collection) to create these one-of-a-kind art pieces. Alex Gross collaborates a mixture of [retro Japanese](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japonisme-1), consumer culture icons and [Victorian imagery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/painting-exhibition) in his shocking and riveting group of paintings. View the gallery to see the work by Alex Gross that may leave you quite speechless. **Implications** - The featured artworks reveal to businesses that absurdity is extremely popular among younger generations. Many enjoy the oddities of the surreal world because they are a mix of both fact and fantasy. Bizarre images are a sure-fire way to grasp any consumer's attention. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Surreal Art:** There is a trend towards surreal art that combines diverse and unexpected elements to create unique and thought-provoking pieces. - **Retro Japanese Influence:** There is a trend towards incorporating retro Japanese cultural elements into art and design to create a nostalgic and visually appealing aesthetic. - **Consumer Culture Icons:** There is a trend towards using consumer culture icons in art in order to comment on the influence of corporations and advertising on society. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art:** The art industry can incorporate the trend of surreal art to appeal to younger generations and create memorable and unique pieces. - **Design:** The design industry can incorporate the trend of retro Japanese influence to create visually appealing products and experiences that evoke nostalgia and familiarity. - **Advertising:** The advertising industry can incorporate the trend of using consumer culture icons to create effective and thought-provoking campaigns that comment on the influence of corporations on society. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md) - [Oil Painting-Inspired Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antonio-santn.md) - [Surreal Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-deitch-art-gallery.md) - [Destructive Nature Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keita-miyazaki.md) - [Surreal Love-Themed Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joakim-ojanen.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Candy-Like Colorful Glass Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gele-series.md) - [AI-Generated Retrofuturistic Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retrofuturistic-objects.md)