# Projected Inner Struggle Portraits John Reuss' Paintings Represent Peoples' Inner Turmoil By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2013-07-08 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inner-turmoil References: [hifructose](http://hifructose.com/2013/06/25/john-reusss-psychological-paintings-explore-inner-turmoil/) & [johnreuss](http://www.johnreuss.com/index.php/gallery/paintings) John Reuss' paintings convey an inner turmoil that he believes is a universal daily struggle for everyone, although these feelings manifest themselves differently in each individual. His [dark, brooding paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-deitch-art-gallery) feature sombre gray tones and figures with disfigurements and missing body parts. None of the subjects' faces can be seen clearly -- Reuss masks them with a combination of soft, hazy lines and bodies in uncomfortably twisted positions. The artwork is overlayed with [multiple exposures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/psychoacoustic-light-ensemble), showing many angles at once. This effect is designed to project the [inner turmoils and chaos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-into-darkness) of Reuss' subjects onto the canvas' surface. Although the feelings of inner turmoil you experience on a daily basis may not be this intense, it is easy to empathize. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## 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 - **Inner Struggle Art:** Artists are using their mediums to express the inner turmoil of subjects, providing a unique perspective into emotional and mental health issues. - **Ambiguous Portraiture:** Artists are changing traditional portrait styles by obscuring facial features and conveying inner struggles without revealing identities. - **Multi-exposure Art:** Artists are experimenting with multi-exposure to convey emotions and inner turmoils through layered and distorted imagery. ### Where This Applies - **Art:** Art galleries and museums can showcase inner struggle artwork as a way to bridge the gap between art and mental wellness and provide insight into emotional health. - **Psychology:** Psychology clinics could collaborate with artists to use art as a form of therapy and encourage patients to use creative expression to aid in their emotional healing. - **Marketing:** Marketing and advertising agencies could use the multi-exposure technique to convey complex emotions and inner turmoil in their campaigns in a visually striking way. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Abstract Geometric Solo Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impermanent-state-of-being.md) - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [Dark Abstracted Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-minyades-exhibition.md) - [Boundary-Pushing Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/briony-douglas-1.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Raw Sports Emotion Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-exhibition.md) - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [Destructive Nature Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keita-miyazaki.md)