# Superhero 911 Collages 'An Exhibition of Heroes' Pays Homage to NYC Firefighters By Matt Ho | Published 2011-09-26 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/an-exhibition-of-heroes References: [yatzer](http://www.yatzer.com/Ben-Turnbull-real-life-superheroes) & [elevenfineart](http://www.elevenfineart.com/index.asp?pageid=3&ListID=52&ItemID=1539) Aside from superpowers, the comic book characters aren't that different from the courageous everyday citizen, which is what Ben Turnbull is trying to illustrate with 'An Exhibition of Heroes.' Turnbull's 'An Exhibition of Heroes' is a series of collages that pay homage to the [brave firefighters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-australian-firefighters) who risked their lives to save others during the chaos of 9/11. The talented artist has taken several [pre-1990 comics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marvel-and-disney) featuring characters such as [Batman, Spiderman and Superman](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/batman-x-blvck-collection), cut them up, and formed images of firefighters. Here, he's demonstrating the idea of what a real hero looks like and how they really are a mirror of the comic book characters that kids have adored over the years for their heroics. The collages are beautifully made and help viewers realize that superheros exist in this world after all. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Superhero Tribute Art:** Creating collages and artwork that pay homage to superheroes, such as firefighters, as a way to highlight the similarities between fictional characters and real-life heroes. - **Comic Book Remakes:** Utilizing vintage comic books to create new art forms and visuals, showcasing a unique interpretation of well-known superheroes. - **Real-life Hero Portrayal:** Using art as a medium to depict the bravery and heroism of everyday citizens, emphasizing their similarities to popular comic book characters. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** Opportunities for artists and designers to create unique art pieces by combining different mediums, such as vintage comic books, to pay tribute to real-life heroes. - **Entertainment and Media:** Incorporating superhero tribute art into movies, TV shows, and other forms of media to depict the connections between fictional characters and real-life heroism. - **Non-profit and Charity:** Collaborating with artists to create superhero tribute art as a means of raising awareness and funds for organizations supporting firefighters and other heroes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Superhero-Themed DIY Art Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jim-lee-batman.md) - [Comic Book Hero Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comic-book-heros.md) - [3D Superhero Block-Puzzle Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazing-spiderman-set.md) - [Buildable 3D Superhero Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gotham-city-skyline-set.md) - [Comic-Inspired Soda Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-heroes.md) - [Classic Superhero-Inspired Donuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krispy-kreme-hungry-for-heroes.md) - [Superhero-Themed Clogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spiderman-x-crocs.md) - [Digital City-Inspired Art Works](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grand-central-station.md) - [Charity Firefighter Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-australian-firefighters.md)