# Gas Mask Family Portraits Sam Van Olffen Takes Steampunk Art One Step Darker By Shelby Lee Walsh | Published 2009-07-06 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gas-mask-sam-van-olffen-steampunk-art References: [darkroastedblend](http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/07/spectacular-steampunk-art-update-part-2.html) Sam Van Olffen is an up-and-coming [Steampunk artist](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/industrial-art1) you don’t want to miss. This modern sub-genre of art is being brought into the mainstream with help from Olffen, residing in Montpellier in the South of France. This self-described “[graphic sampler](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1)” has created some disturbing pieces, many of which have people donning gas masks in dreary colors. Take a look at the gallery to see a romantic gas mask rendezvous and an even odder masked family portrait. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 75% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, 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's Driving This Trend - **Steampunk Art:** Exploring the world of steampunk art and its potential for mainstream adoption and expansion. - **Gas Mask Fashion:** Investigating the emergence of gas masks as a trend in fashion and art, and the potential for new products and designs around it. - **Dark Portraiture:** Exploring the rise of dark and eerie art styles in portraiture and the potential for further experimentation. ### Who This Affects Most - **Art and Design:** Identifying new markets and platforms for the promotion and commercialisation of steampunk and dark art styles. - **Fashion:** Exploring the potential for fashion products and accessories using gas masks as a theme, and incorporating industrial elements and designs. - **Photography:** Identifying the potential for new types of dark and eerie portraiture in photography, both for artistic expression and commercial photography. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Warped Dynamic New-Gen Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vern-morph-and-form.md) - [Surreal Love-Themed Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joakim-ojanen.md) - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [AI-Generated Retrofuturistic Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retrofuturistic-objects.md) - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Steampunk Aesthetic Espresso Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steampunk-espresso-machine.md) - [Raw Metal Design Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nick-valentijn.md) - [Stylized Portrait Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/face-to-all.md) - [Stunning Origami Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-portaits.md)