# Morbid Murals 'Harry and Gretal' Walls by Cale Mason Blend Skulls and Retro Imagery By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2010-07-25 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cale-mason References: [behance.net](http://www.behance.net/gallery/Harry-and-Gretal/574156) & [calemason](http://www.calemason.com/) Designer and art director Cale Mason is the artist behind this morbid mural for the walls of Harry and Gretal, a [fashion boutique](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-days-march-1). Integrating images of [faceless pin-ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/killer-napkins) and smiling, gold-toothed skulls, the mural is at once whimsical and eye-catching. See more images of Cale Mason's morbid mural above, including close-ups. I'm particularly fond of the eerie grin found on the portrait-style skull illustrations. **Implications** - With many consumers feeling a sense of loss during the recession, expression is seeping its way into artwork in a creative fashion. For companies that are looking to capitalize on the feelings of discouragement that come along with an economic downturn, they should find ways to imbue their products with a sense of disappointment and nostalgia. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 42% | 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) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Whimsical Morbid Artwork:** Artists are blending morbid and whimsical imagery to create eye-catching murals and artwork. - **Expressive Artwork in Response to Economic Downturn:** Artists are incorporating expressions of loss and nostalgia into their artwork as a response to the economic downturn. - **Integration of Retro Imagery in Artwork:** Artists are integrating retro imagery, such as faceless pin-ups, into their artwork to create unique and captivating visuals. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion:** Fashion brands can explore incorporating whimsical morbid artwork into their store designs to create a unique and memorable customer experience. - **Art and Design:** Artists and designers can embrace the trend of expressive artwork and explore incorporating themes of loss and nostalgia in their creations. - **Marketing and Advertising:** Marketers can leverage the integration of retro imagery in artwork to create visually engaging campaigns that resonate with consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Confectionary Graffiti Murals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jolly-rancher-gummie.md) - [Human Embraced-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wallmounted-sculpture.md) - [Whimsical Halloween Decor Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michaels-alices-adventures-collection.md) - [Folk Art-Inspired Wallpapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backdrop.md) - [Crystal-Adorned Crushed Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sam-keller.md) - [Whimsical Harlequin-Patterned Décor Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alices-adventures-collection.md) - [Pink-Tinted Artful Concept Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moco-concept-store.md) - [Street Art-Style Gummy Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jolly-rancher-gummies.md) - [Food-Inspired Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dish-pics.md)