# Grotesque Self Portrait Sculptures Artist Louis Fortier Deforms Wax and Plaster Heads for a Fright By Meghan Young | Published 2013-11-01 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-fortier References: [beautifuldecay](http://beautifuldecay.com/2013/10/31/louis-fortiers-grotesque-self-portraits/) & [galeriedartdoutremont](http://www.galeriedartdoutremont.ca/2012/05/29/louis-fortier-du-4-au-28-octobre-2012/) Hang one of Louis Fortier's works of art on the porch or in the window and children would have definitely had a case of the frights on Halloween night. He creates [wax and plaster heads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-portraits) using his own form as a model and then deforms them in very [grotesque ways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-into-darkness). Whether drooped or squished or discolored in freaky ways, the resulting artworks by Louis Fortier would send a chill down anyone's spine. Based in Quebec, Canada, Louis Fortier raises quite a few interesting thoughts for people to mull over. Beautiful Decay notes, "The repetition of the body part reveals a deep fixation with the human face, [identity and individuality](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hughmanity). Probing into an analysis of genetic manipulation and cloning Fortier’s heads speak to the idea of multiple selves, or the personalities/ lives we might have had." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Grotesque Art Sculptures:** Opportunity for artists to create unsettling and transformative sculptures that challenge traditional notions of beauty. - **Exploration of Identity:** Chance for artists to delve into the complexities of human identity and the concept of multiple selves through artistry. - **Genetic Manipulation in Art:** Disruptive potential to use art as a platform to reflect on ethical concerns surrounding genetic manipulation and cloning. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Sculpture:** Artists can find inspiration and opportunities to push the boundaries of traditional artistic mediums and provoke thought. - **Genetic Engineering:** Genetic engineering industry can explore creative collaborations with artists to foster discussions about the ethical implications of their work. - **Psychology and Identity Studies:** Research in psychology and identity studies can benefit from analyzing and interpreting the artistic expression of multiple selves and the nature of human identity. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Surreal Love-Themed Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joakim-ojanen.md) - [Stunning Origami Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-portaits.md) - [Luxury Fashion Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxury-fashion-sculpture.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Human Torso-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lene-bdker.md) - [Human Embraced-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wallmounted-sculpture.md) - [Distorted Furniture Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/first-kiss-at-last-light.md) - [Artful Anime-Blending Split Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/split-bust.md) - [Surreal Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-deitch-art-gallery.md)