# Cultural Kaleidoscope Paintings Matt Small Presents an Equal Sense of Beauty and Unrest By Corinne Guirgis | Published 2012-02-07 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matt-small References: [booooooom](http://www.booooooom.com/2012/02/06/artist-painter-matt-small/#more-34545) & [matt-small](http://www.matt-small.com/) "I've always felt the need to say something with my art, to touch on subject matters that I feel strongly about," says artist Matt Small to Kung-Fu London. That was my initial impression of Small's paintings, that they were striking in a thought-provoking way in that he consistently finds a deeper beauty in his subjects' eyes. With a clear theme of [ethnicity and race](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/african-identity) present throughout his body of work, he has no interest in beating around the bush. There is an equal sense of beauty and unrest in each of his paintings that is indicative of his worldview. In each of his subjects, he paints more than faces. He paints their sense of worth, their [internal struggles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragments) and demands of its viewers a [sense of empathy and understanding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowflake-exhibition) that is truly heart-warming. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Ethnicity and Race in Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include creating platforms that celebrate and amplify diverse voices in the art world. - **Emotional Connection Through Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include developing immersive and interactive art experiences that evoke strong emotional responses. - **Social Commentary in Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include leveraging technology to create digital art that challenges societal norms and sparks dialogue. ### Who This Affects Most - **Art and Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include incorporating technology and digital mediums into traditional artistic practices. - **Diversity and Inclusion:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include creating platforms and initiatives that promote representation and equality in the art industry. - **Experiential Marketing:** Disruptive innovation opportunities include collaborating with artists to create engaging and memorable brand experiences that resonate with audiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Bi-Culture-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bicultureinspired-art-exhibition.md) - [Abstract Geometric Solo Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impermanent-state-of-being.md) - [Public Art Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith.md) - [Immigration System-Inspired Artworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passport-series.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Culturally Artful Textile Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/devotion-exhibtion.md) - [Striking Urban Wildlife Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clare-allin.md) - [Raw Sports Emotion Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-exhibition.md)