# Quirky Pop Art Portraits Mario Soria Creates Unexpected Paintings Featuring Iconic Figures By Meghan Young | Published 2011-11-26 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-soria References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/pop-art-portraits) & [mariosoria](http://www.mariosoria.com/) Mario Soria introduces a new take on the pop art that has been prevalent in the world for a number of years now. Focusing on iconic historical figures such as Albert Einstein, Audrey Hepburn and the [pop art god himself, Andy Warhol](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/piaget-andy-warhol), this Spanish realist artist mixes [hyper-realism and surrealism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1) with pop art to create paintings that are truly spectacular. Based in Barcelona, Mario Soria starts with a base that is reminiscent of vintage photography and then adds an unexpected [splash of color](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/profiles-in-color) here and there, as well as the occasional prop detail for added interest. However, these playful elements are not introduced on a whim. Mario Soria says, "I like to research more about the person in matter and sometimes put in some ironic elements of the information I found." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 73% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Hyper-realism in Pop Art:** The fusion of hyper-realism and pop art in Mario Soria's paintings offers opportunities for new and unexpected artistic expressions. - **Mixing Vintage and Contemporary:** Mario Soria's use of vintage photography as a base, combined with modern pop art elements, presents opportunities for unique visual storytelling. - **Research-inspired Art:** The incorporation of ironic elements and extensive research in Mario Soria's artwork suggests a trend of art that is deeply informed and thought-provoking. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** The fusion of hyper-realism and pop art in Mario Soria's paintings presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the art and design industry, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. - **Fashion and Merchandise:** Mario Soria's visually striking pop art portraits provide opportunities for collaborations with fashion brands and merchandising, bringing his art to a broader audience. - **Advertising and Marketing:** The incorporation of research and ironic elements in Mario Soria's artwork can inspire disruptive innovations in advertising and marketing campaigns, creating engaging and thought-provoking visuals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Reimagined Puzzled Artful Paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portrait-of-a-woman-in-a-hat.md) - [Collectible Historical Figurines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thrilljoy-pix.md) - [Pop Art-Style Blocked Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-in-red.md) - [Curated Pop Art Auctions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joopiter.md) - [Pop Art Legend-Honoring Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keiichi-tanaami-1.md) - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [AI-Generated Soup Can Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/campbells-paintings.md) - [Art-Inspired Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-mattel-x-moma.md) - [Surreal Artist-Inspired Tech Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salvador-dal-collection.md)