# Urban Pop Culture Depictions James Blagden Renders Afro-Centric Pictures with Trippy Colors By Jason Soy | Published 2012-01-21 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/james-blagden References: [sweet-station](http://sweet-station.com/blog/2012/01/james-blagden/) & [jamesblagden](http://www.jamesblagden.com/stuff/stuff.html) These James Blagden illustrations may induce a few smirks, but many of these [polychromatic renderings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/limitededition-print-series) actually use humor as a way to comment on taboo issues in society. For instance, one image depicts two men about to kiss one another with onlookers completely in shock. His hyperbolic conveyance of the bystanders is an obvious quip about how worked up people get over homosexuality in society. Other images, such as the ones depicting a man sandwiched between two well-endowed dancers and an African-American man about to be beat down by Caucasian movie stars, also work as satires in trying to tackle [afro-centric issues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/african-identity). Aside from social commentary, James Blagden’s art is also noteworthy for his use of [psychedelic colors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-psychedelia), with some images using nearly all the colors of the visible spectrum. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 69% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Celebs](https://www.trendhunter.com/celebs) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Social Commentary Art:** Artists can explore social issues and taboos through visual satire, sparking conversations and challenging societal norms. - **Hyperbolic Bystander Depictions:** Exaggerating bystander reactions in art can highlight public responses to controversial topics, shedding light on societal attitudes. - **Psychedelic Color Usage:** Utilizing vibrant and trippy colors in art can create visually captivating experiences and evoke strong emotional responses. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art and Entertainment:** The art and entertainment industries can embrace social commentary art to engage audiences and spark meaningful dialogue. - **Fashion and Design:** Fashion designers can incorporate hyperbolic bystander depictions in their designs to challenge traditional beauty standards and provoke thought. - **Advertising and Marketing:** Advertising campaigns can utilize psychedelic color usage to create eye-catching visuals that leave a lasting impression on consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [Cosmic-Themed Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cosmicthemed-art-exhibition.md) - [Glamorous Artful Bronze Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-jane.md) - [Limited Humorous Art Prints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-shrigley-1.md) - [Afro-Futuristic Marble Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaia.md) - [Public Art Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith.md) - [Bi-Culture-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bicultureinspired-art-exhibition.md)