# Spooky Fictional Character Portraits 'Fiction' Features Eerie Portraits of Literary Characters By | Published 2013-07-02 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fictional-character-portraits References: [laughingsquid](http://laughingsquid.com/fiction-art-show-featuring-portraits-of-characters-from-literary-fiction-at-modern-eden-gallery-in-san-francisco/) & [moderneden](http://www.moderneden.com/collections/fiction) San Francisco's Modern Eden Gallery has just opened a [new exhibition of fictional character portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/just-like-heaven-art-exhibition), titled 'Fiction.' Each painting contained in the exhibition was done by a different artist, but each depicts a fictional character from literary fiction. The exhibition depicts a wide variety of characters, from Little Red Riding Hoor to American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. Although they were each produced by a different artist, every painting displayed in 'Fiction' depicts the characters in an [eerie, almost surreal way](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/junji-ito-artwork). For instance, Patrick Bateman is shown holding the head of a prostitute, his pale face and jet-black hair giving him a vampiric look. The painter, Leilani Bustamante, also blurred Bateman's face, making it look like an overexposed photograph and giving him a supernatural appearance. By producing an exhibition like 'Fiction,' Modern Eden has proven that literature is still held near and dear to many people. It's clear that certain characters produce a feeling of familiarity, or fondness, making readers feel as if they actually know this fictional person. These paintings make it possible for people to see their favorite characters somewhere other than printed in black and white; they can see them in their colorful, hyperrealistic glory. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fictional Character Art:** The trend of creating eerie and surrealistic art pieces in various mediums depicting fictional literary characters. - **Hyperrealistic Portraits:** The trend of creating hyperrealistic and lifelike portraits in various mediums, including painting and digital art. - **Alternative Character Depictions:** The trend of portraying well-known fictional characters in an unconventional and eerie manner to create a unique twist on the original portrayal. ### Where This Applies - **Art:** The art industry can capitalize on the trend of producing hyperrealistic and eerie pieces of art depicting well-known literary characters to showcase artists' skills. - **Digital Media:** The digital media industry can capitalize on the trend of creating hyperrealistic digital art pieces of spooky fictional characters, which can be utilized in various marketing campaigns and digital content. - **Publishing:** The publishing industry can capitalize on the trend of producing alternative character depictions of well-known literary characters, showcasing a unique and creative twist on the original portrayal that can be marketed to readers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Forgotten Theme-Park Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forgotten-fantasy.md) - [Gothic Poet-Themed Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edgar-allan-poe-speakeasy.md) - [Surreal Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-deitch-art-gallery.md) - [Boundless Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frameless-experience.md) - [Dark Abstracted Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-minyades-exhibition.md) - [Abstract Fantasy Home Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abstract-fantasy-home.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md)