# Personified Ink Portraits Chris Slabber's Visual Art Transforms Ink and Water into Human Faces By Jana Pijak | Published 2014-10-08 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ink-portraits References: [visualnews](http://www.visualnews.com/2014/07/17/faces-flow-plumes-ink-water/) & [saatchiart](http://www.saatchiart.com/account/artworks/702483) Chris Slabber creates unconventional ink portraits by dropping his colored medium in a pool of water. The seemingly random ink blotches are surprisingly beautiful and are later digitally altered to look like human faces. Whether capturing an individual's profile or depicting a loving couple mid-embrace, the South African artist's works play with the perception of their viewer. Displayed at KKNK 2014 festival in Oudtshoorn, Chris Slabber's [portrait series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portrait-mom) gained praise from art fans and fellow exhibitors at the event. His water-infused ink portraits are striking and organic in their shape, making them even more intriguing at a close range. Finding beauty in the unexpected, the portraits transform high speed ink imagery into human faces that are both lifelike and captivating. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Water-ink Art:** The use of water and ink in art is a trend that creates visually stunning and unexpected results. - **Digital Alteration:** The trend of digitally altering art allows for the transformation of random ink blotches into realistic human faces. - **Perception Manipulation:** Artists exploring the perception of the viewer are disrupting traditional notions of what constitutes a portrait. ### Where This Applies - **Fine Arts:** Fine artists can explore the water-ink art trend to create innovative and captivating pieces that challenge conventional techniques. - **Visual Effects:** The trend of digital alteration in art provides opportunities for visual effects artists to apply their skills in transforming ink blotches into lifelike human faces. - **Art Exhibitions:** By presenting ink portraits that manipulate perception, art exhibitions can provide unique and thought-provoking experiences for attendees. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mesmerizing Fluid Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flow-fountain.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Artistic Rum Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artists-of-the-abyss.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Hand-Painted Watercolor Prints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emma-webster.md) - [3D-Printed Colorful Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/olivier-van-herpt-1.md) - [Stylized Portrait Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/face-to-all.md) - [Robotic Portrait Sketches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pankraz-piktograph.md) - [Striking Glass Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-portraits.md)