# Artiscally Ruined Murals These Portraits by Valerie Hegarty Illustrate the Beauty in Destruction By Andrew Robertson | Published 2012-03-25 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valerie-hegarty References: [toxel](http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2012/03/21/destroyed-paintings/) & [valeriehegarty](http://valeriehegarty.com/home.html) 'Destroyed Paintings' by Valerie Hegarty is a line of artwork that takes prints of famous pieces of art and depicts them as if they have been heavily abused or vandalized. The juxtaposition between [iconic, pristine illustrations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7-paintings-the-art-of-dining) with the chaotic condition they now reside in creates a fluctuating impression ranging from awe to shock to impressed. The portraits by Valerie Hegarty aren't created from simply taking an image worked on by a previous artist and tearing it apart until it becomes nearly unrecognizable, but rather, 'Destroyed Paintings' illustrates that beauty comes in a variety of forms, and within destruction lies the potential for renewal and rebirth. Some of the [destroyed frames](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/objects-from-frames) in Valerie Hegarty's portraits use [branch-like structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/olga-de-amaral) to articulate the notion of regeneration from destruction. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.3/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Reimagined Art:** Opportunity for artists to create new interpretations of famous works by deconstructing and reassembling them in innovative ways. - **Beauty in Destruction:** Opportunity to embrace imperfections and create art that celebrates the beauty and potential of things that have been ruined or damaged. - **Juxtaposition Art:** Opportunity to create works of art that feature a visually striking contrast between elements of order and chaos, such as pristine illustrations and heavily abused or vandalized depictions. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** Artists and designers can push boundaries and experiment with new techniques to create innovative works that challenge traditions and preconceptions. - **Home Decor:** Opportunity for home decor and interior design companies to embrace imperfect and unconventional aesthetics by featuring art that celebrates the beauty of decay and destruction. - **Fashion and Accessories:** Fashion designers can draw inspiration from the juxtaposition of order and chaos and embrace imperfections in their designs to create unique and innovative pieces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [Broken-Aesthetic Sculpture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brokenaesthetic-sculpture-collection.md) - [Striking Glass Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-portraits.md) - [Leftover Househouse Paint Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paint-drop.md) - [Reimagined Puzzled Artful Paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portrait-of-a-woman-in-a-hat.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Repurposed Studio Scrap Pottery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daon-pottery.md) - [Glass Beaded Intricate Artworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/painting-exhibition.md) - [Upcycled Object Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nendo-and-daniel-arsham.md)