# Faceless Fabric Portraits Monica Rohan's Paintings Depict People Swallowed Up by Fabric By Christopher Magsambol | Published 2015-09-21 | Updated 2015-09-23 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monica-rohan References: [hifructose](http://hifructose.com/2015/09/16/monica-rohans-self-portraits-are-forever-lost-in-textiles/) & [beautifuldecay](http://beautifuldecay.com/2015/09/18/monica-rohan-paints-self-portraits-swallowed-beautiful-vortex-patterned-fabric/) Artist Monica Rohan created a collection of paintings in which the main characters are faceless, and engulfed by patterned fabric. Other pieces in the collection have a similar theme in which women and children are illustrated swallowed up by luscious green plants and grass. The paintings are inspired by Rohan's upbringing in rural Australia. The painter's love for 19th century novels are also used as inspiration and often depict children's innocent play contrasted against the anxiety of isolation. The vibrant [patterned fabrics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wallpaper-collection1) and green forests are meant to be extensions of each character's physical and psychological beings. By concealing the character's faces, Rohan wants to let each character's [body language convey their feelings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shapes-we-take) and emotions. In making the women and fabric almost indistinguishable, Rohan portrays how a character's mental states are extended into the physical world. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Faceless Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the use of faceless figures in various art mediums to stimulate viewer interpretation and emotional connection. - **Fabric Swallowing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create designs or products that incorporate the imagery of fabric swallowing to evoke a sense of mystery or surprise. - **Psycho-physical Expressions:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop technologies or tools that allow individuals to express their emotions and mental states through non-verbal cues. ### Who This Affects Most - **Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce new techniques or styles in the art world that challenge conventional representations and invite viewer engagement. - **Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design clothing or accessories that play with the dynamic between the human body and fabric, blurring the boundaries between the two. - **Psychology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the connection between mental and physical states, leveraging research to develop innovative therapies or interventions for emotional well-being. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Limited Semi-Biographical Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uncertainty.md) - [Oil Painting-Inspired Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antonio-santn.md) - [Intricate Fiber Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/threadwork-women-redefining-fiber-arts.md) - [Textile Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/olga-de-amaral.md) - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Human Embraced-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wallmounted-sculpture.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md) - [Painting-Inspired Wallpaper Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portals-collection.md)