# Surrealist Satire Illustrations The Brecht Vandenbroucke Portfolio is Strange and Engrossing By Jordan Sowunmi | Published 2012-11-26 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brecht-vandenbroucke-portfolio References: [booooooom](http://www.booooooom.com/2012/11/19/brecht-vandenbroucke-3/) & [brechtvandenbroucke.blogspot](http://brechtvandenbroucke.blogspot.ca/) Looking through the Brecht Vandenbroucke portfolio is like looking into the mind of a wildly talented and funny social satirist. Vandenbroucke's paintings and illustrations often feature [colorful landscapes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/olivier-van-herpt-1), [absurdist imagery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salvador-dal-collection), and lighthearted but sharp pop culture commentary. Vandenbroucke studied illustration at the the St-Lucas Hogeschool in Ghent, and he boasts an enviable client list; his work has appeared in venerable publications like Vice and the New York Times. My favorite image in the Brecht Vandenbroucke portfolio shows what appears to be a ghost in a black robe draped over a [hotel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maison-heler). The image is drawn as if it were being viewed through Google StreetView. The illustration captures the best parts of the Brecht Vandenbroucke portfolio in one image -- irreverent, contemporary and patently ridiculous. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.3/10 - Popularity: 81% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Absurdist Imagery:** The trend of using absurd and surreal elements in art and design opens up opportunities for innovative and thought-provoking storytelling. - **Lighthearted Social Commentary:** The trend of incorporating light-hearted but sharp social commentary in visual media presents opportunities for brands and artists to engage and provoke audience discussions. - **Pop Culture Satire:** The trend of satirizing popular culture provides opportunities for creatives to critique societal trends and behaviors in a humorous and meaningful way. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art & Design:** The art and design industry can leverage the trend of absurdist imagery, lighthearted social commentary, and pop culture satire to create visually captivating and intellectually stimulating works. - **Publishing & Media:** The publishing and media industry can embrace the trend of incorporating absurdist imagery, lighthearted social commentary, and pop culture satire to attract and engage audiences with fresh and unconventional content. - **Advertising & Marketing:** The advertising and marketing industry can tap into the trend of using absurdist imagery, lighthearted social commentary, and pop culture satire to create memorable campaigns that resonate with consumers and spark conversations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Limited Humorous Art Prints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-shrigley-1.md) - [AI-Generated Retrofuturistic Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retrofuturistic-objects.md) - [Striking Glass Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-portraits.md) - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Playful Modern Art Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brent-estabrook-debuts-storytime.md) - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [Artful Cartoonish Canal Bridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canal-skybridge.md)