# Unsettling Portraiture Petrina Hicks Creates Shocking Imagery By Kalliope Amorphous | Published 2011-08-04 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petrina-hicks-captivating-portraits References: [petrinahicks](http://www.petrinahicks.com/) Alluring, sensual, disturbing and ghostly are just some of the words that come to mind while viewing the portfolio of stark, [minimalist still life portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-latest-summer-edit) by Australian photographer Petrina Hicks. These stunning, painterly images beautifully blend the classic and contemporary. Hicks' soft, feminine and alluringly ethereal images transcend the boundaries of portraiture, conceptualizing [classic beauty](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-portraits) with her own unique style; an [exploration of the portrait](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/persona-ai) which blends hyper-real, edgy and sometimes disturbing imagery with classic, editorial-style portraiture. The use of milky white juxtaposed with muted colors and carefully selected color contrasts gives Hicks' portraits an eerie, otherworldly quality. Using large scale, glossy images, Hicks beautifully contrasts the idea of perfection and commercialism, seduction and consumption. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.8/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Stark- Minimalist Portraits:** Opportunity to explore the intersection of classic beauty and contemporary minimalism in portraiture. - **Ethereal Imagery:** Opportunity to create hauntingly beautiful portraits that transcend traditional boundaries. - **Disturbing and Edgy Portraits:** Opportunity to push the boundaries of portraiture with provocative and unsettling imagery. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fine Art Photography:** Opportunity for photographers to challenge traditional concepts of portraiture and create striking visual narratives. - **Editorial Photography:** Opportunity for editorial photographers to blend art and commerce by incorporating surreal and thought-provoking elements into their work. - **Advertising and Marketing:** Opportunity for advertisers and marketers to create captivating and memorable campaigns by incorporating unsettling and unconventional imagery in their visuals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Glamorous Artful Bronze Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-jane.md) - [Photography Project Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/still-life-1.md) - [Mesmerizing Sculpture Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mesmerizing-sculpture.md) - [Ethereal Light Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peter-kovacsy.md) - [Human Hair-Made Pots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/range-of-pots.md) - [Dark Abstracted Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-minyades-exhibition.md) - [Modern Poertic Ceramics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virginia-sin.md) - [AI-Powered Portrait Studio Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portraius.md) - [Chic Norm-Challenging Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wiggle-collection.md)