Published on 16 October 2023 6 min read

Explore Graffiti Style
Discover Street Art Style
Analyse Pop Art Style
Inspect Abstract Expressionism Style
Study Surrealism Style

If you're passionate about the world of hypebeast art, this blog is just for you! We're going to dive into five amazing styles that define this unique genre. From the bold lines of Graffiti to the dream-like qualities of Surrealism, you're in for a treat. Now, let's get this journey started!

Explore Graffiti Style

When you think of hypebeast art, Graffiti is likely the first style that pops into your mind. It's the backbone of this genre, bursting with color, energy, and an undeniable urban vibe.

The Birth of Graffiti

Graffiti, in the context of hypebeast art, emerged from the urban landscapes of cities like New York and Los Angeles. These locations, teeming with vibrant street life and cultural diversity, provided the perfect canvas for this art form to flourish.

Tagging: This is the simplest form of Graffiti. It involves artists, also known as writers, scribbling their names or aliases in unique lettering styles.
Throw-ups: These are larger and more elaborate than tags. Throw-ups usually include a two-color scheme and bubble-like letters.
Piece: Short for masterpiece, a piece is often a large, complex, and multi-colored work of graffiti art.

Graffiti in Hypebeast Art

In the world of hypebeast art, Graffiti has evolved and taken on new forms. It's not just about spray paint on a wall anymore—this style has found its way onto clothing, sneakers, and even digital art pieces. Brands such as Supreme, Off-White, and BAPE frequently incorporate graffiti elements into their designs, creating a bridge between street culture and high fashion.

So next time you spot a piece of hypebeast art, take a moment to appreciate the Graffiti influence. Whether it's a bold tag on a pair of sneakers or a vibrant piece on a hoodie, you're looking at a cornerstone of this cool, urban art style.

Discover Street Art Style

Next up on our hypebeast art exploration is Street Art. While it shares some similarities with Graffiti, Street Art is a whole different ballgame with its own distinct flavor.

What is Street Art?

Street Art is an umbrella term that covers various forms of visual art created in public locations. It's known for being engaging, thought-provoking, and often includes a social or political message.

Murals: These are large-scale artworks that cover entire walls or buildings. They often depict a story or message and can be beautiful additions to the urban landscape.
Stencils: Stencil art involves creating an image or text by applying pigment to a surface over an intermediate object with designed gaps.
Installations: In Street Art, installations are three-dimensional works designed to transform the perception of a space.

Street Art in Hypebeast Art

Street Art has a significant influence on the hypebeast art scene. It's not uncommon to see elements of this style in the designs of popular streetwear brands. For example, Obey Giant, founded by artist Shepard Fairey, is a brand deeply rooted in Street Art.

Even beyond fashion, Street Art has found its way into hypebeast art culture through collaborations between artists and brands. Take the collaboration between the artist KAWS and the brand Uniqlo as an example. The artist’s unique style has been transferred onto clothing, making Street Art wearable and accessible to all.

So when you next come across a piece of Street Art, remember, you're not just looking at a painting on a wall—you're witnessing the pulse of the city, a voice for the voiceless, and a key influence in the world of hypebeast art.

Analyse Pop Art Style

Let's switch gears and dive into the vibrant world of Pop Art, another fantastic style that has significantly influenced hypebeast art.

Understanding Pop Art

Pop Art is an art movement that emerged in the mid-20th century. It draws inspiration from popular and commercial culture like advertising, comic books, celebrities, and everyday objects. In essence, it's art that reflects the realities and the whimsy of the modern, consumer-driven world.

Andy Warhol: When we talk about Pop Art, it's impossible not to mention Andy Warhol, one of the most iconic figures of the movement. Warhol's works, like his famous Campbell's Soup Cans, are great examples of how pop art takes everyday items and transforms them into meaningful art pieces.
Roy Lichtenstein: Another key player in the Pop Art movement is Roy Lichtenstein, known for his comic strip-inspired works. His art style, with its bright colors and ben-day dots, is a staple in the world of Pop Art.

Pop Art's Influence on Hypebeast Art

Pop Art’s influence on hypebeast art is evident in many ways. From the bold, colorful designs to the incorporation of popular culture elements, Pop Art has left its mark on the style.

Supreme, a well-known brand in the hypebeast art world, regularly incorporates Pop Art elements into its designs. One of its most popular collaborations was with the estate of Roy Lichtenstein, bringing his iconic comic-strip style to the world of streetwear.

Pop Art is far from being a thing of the past — it continues to thrive and evolve, making its presence known in the vibrant world of hypebeast art. So the next time you see a piece of clothing or artwork with a bold, pop-culture twist, remember, you're witnessing the enduring influence of Pop Art.

Inspect Abstract Expressionism Style

Abstract Expressionism might seem a bit out of place in a discussion about hypebeast art — but bear with me, it's more related than you might think.

Getting to Know Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism is an art movement that rose to prominence in the post-World War II era, mainly in New York. It's characterized by a focus on spontaneous, subconscious creation. Artists in this movement believe in expressing their inner selves, their emotions, in raw, non-objective, and often chaotic ways.

Jackson Pollock: A name synonymous with Abstract Expressionism is Jackson Pollock. His "drip and splash" style, where he flung paint onto his canvas, is a powerful representation of the movement's emphasis on spontaneous, emotional expression.
Mark Rothko: Another pillar of the movement is Mark Rothko, whose "multiforms"—large blocks of color on canvas—invite viewers to lose themselves in a world of emotion and contemplation.

Abstract Expressionism's Impact on Hypebeast Art

Now, you may be asking, "What does this have to do with hypebeast art?" Well, quite a lot, actually.

While hypebeast art, with its emphasis on commercial and popular culture, might seem miles apart from the introspective world of Abstract Expressionism, the latter has found its way into streetwear and hypebeast designs in surprising ways.

Take, for instance, the brand Off-White. Their use of "quotation marks" around words and phrases is reminiscent of the conceptual, abstract nature of Abstract Expressionism. They aren't just creating clothing, they're sparking a conversation, pushing boundaries, and challenging conventional perceptions — much like the Abstract Expressionists did in their time.

So, Abstract Expressionism in hypebeast art? Absolutely. It's all about pushing boundaries and expressing individuality — and that's a perfect match for the hypebeast ethos.

Study Surrealism Style

Next on our art exploration journey, we tip our hats to the bizarre and fantastical world of Surrealism. If you thought hypebeast art is all about urban grit and graffiti, then get ready to expand your horizons.

Understanding Surrealism

Surrealism, as the name suggests, is all about transcending the real. It's an art movement that started in the 1920s, aiming to unlock the power of the subconscious, the dreams, the irrational. It's about blending reality with fantasy, logic with illogic, in unexpected and often startling ways.

Salvador Dali: When you think Surrealism, you think Salvador Dali. His melting clocks in "The Persistence of Memory" are emblematic of the movement's focus on dreamlike, illogical visuals.
Rene Magritte: Magritte, with his famous "This is Not a Pipe" painting, invites us to question reality and perception, a core tenet of Surrealism.

Surrealism's Influence on Hypebeast Art

So how does Surrealism seep into hypebeast art? It's all in the imagination and the unexpected.

Hypebeast art isn't just about reflecting popular culture — it's also about reimagining it, twisting it, presenting it in new and unexpected ways. This is where the influence of Surrealism shines through.

Consider the brand Supreme. Their collaborations often feature designs that take everyday objects and twist them into something surreal. Or take the brand BAPE (A Bathing Ape), with their iconic shark hoodie — a blend of the familiar (hoodie, camouflage) with the unexpected (shark face) — a nod to the surreal.

So, Surrealism in hypebeast art? You bet. It's all about the unexpected, the reimagined, the dreamlike — and that's what makes hypebeast art so compelling and unique.

If you're excited about exploring Hypebeast art styles and want to take your creative journey further, check out the workshop 'From Dream to Reality: The Magic of Concept-Art' by Hope Christofferson. This workshop will help you transform your ideas into captivating concept art, enhancing your skills and knowledge in various art styles, including Hypebeast.