Dada

Dada was an artistic movement formed during WWI in Zurich, in response to the war’s horrific scenes. The art was often satirical and nonsensical.

Dada emerged as a response to the horrors of World War I (1914–18) and the rise of modern media and machinery. In both art and literature, Dadaism aimed to unveil established and often oppressive norms of order and rationality.

Founded by writer, Hugo Ball, Dada embraced methods characterised by chance, spontaneity, and irreverence, venturing into diverse mediums, from collage and photomontage to ordinary objects and performance, shattering conventional notions of art creation and appreciation, and redefining the boundaries of permissible materials.

19 results found for "Dada"

guide

What is Generative Art?

Humans have been experimenting with generative art for centuries, but Web 3.0 technology such as NFTs and smart contracts has unlocked new possibilities. Here’s what you need to know about the movement that’s shaking up the art world.
What is Generative Art?
essay

The Guerrilla Girls: Four Decades of Disruption

From the streets to the Supreme Court, the punk feminist art collective are still fighting for social justice in the art world and beyond.
The Guerrilla Girls: Four Decades of Disruption
guide

Hyangmok Baik in Seoul

Hyangmok Baik takes us to places that have shaped his vision of paradise.
Hyangmok Baik in Seoul
Artist

Dada Khanyisa

Dada Khanyisa (they/them) was born in 1991 in Umzimkhulu, South Africa. They were raised in Johannesburg and currently work and live in Cape Town.

Dada Khanyisa
Print

Super Glow

A polished yet surreal portrait combines sleek modernism with Paul Insect's street art influences.

Supercharged with colour, Dada-esque Super Glow showcases the artist’s signature motifs. The subject’s features are revealed under a scintillating mask, reminiscent of a sharp-edged stencil. Behind lies a number of Insect’s identifying motifs – intricate pointillism, paint splashes and multi-textured collage. Set upon a vibrating neon backdrop, the portrait comes to life in through 32 silkscreen layers and hand-applied diamond dust.

Super Glow
Print

I can't change, even if I tried

Sun-drenched and effortlessly glamorous, Dada Khanyisa reconfigures an archetypal holiday snapshot.

In a location defined only by pale blue ocean and burnt orange sky, the artist’s subject shelters her face from the sun. Partially-abstracted shapes and graphic outlines present a modern take on Cubist sensibilities – a common stylistic throughout Khanyisa’s paintings and sculptures.

The delicate design of the woman’s floral tattoo has been hand-finished by the artist in oil-based pencil, making each print unique.

I can't change, even if I tried
Artist

Mickalene Thomas

Mickalene Thomas (she/her) was born in 1971 in New Jersey, United States and is now based in Brooklyn.

Mickalene Thomas
Artist

Paul Insect

Paul Insect (he/him), also known as PINS, was born in 1971 in the south east of England. He now lives and works in London.

Paul Insect
Print

The Observer 4

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

The Observer 4 typifies how the artist simultaneously hides and reveals his subjects in paint, print and collage, inspired by his roots as a graffiti artist.

The Observer 4
Print

The Observer 3

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

The Observer 3 typifies how the artist simultaneously hides and reveals his subjects in paint, print and collage, inspired by his roots as a graffiti artist.

The Observer 3
Print

The Observer 2

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

The Observer 2 typifies how the artist simultaneously hides and reveals his subjects in paint, print and collage, inspired by his roots as a graffiti artist.

The Observer 2
Print

The Observer 1

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

The Observer 1 typifies how the artist simultaneously hides and reveals his subjects in paint, print and collage, inspired by his roots as a graffiti artist.

The Observer 1
Print

The Reflection (Red)

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

The Reflection (Red) exemplifies the artist's distinct blending of bold colours and collage, inspired by his roots as a graffiti artist.

The Reflection (Red)
Print

The Reflection (Blue)

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

The Reflection (Blue) exemplifies the artist's distinct blending of bold colours and collage, inspired by his roots as a graffiti artist.

The Reflection (Blue)
Print

Crystal Habits Blue

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

Stencil, graffiti, and an inventive use of colour are core to the artist's work, as typified in Crystal Habits Blue.

Crystal Habits Blue
Print

Crystal Habits Gold

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

Stencil, graffiti, and an inventive use of colour are core to the artist's work, as typified in Crystal Habits Gold.

Crystal Habits Gold
Print

The Ultimate Journey (Red)

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

Stencil, graffiti, and an inventive use of colour are core to the artist's work, as typified in The Ultimate Journey (Red).

The Ultimate Journey (Red)
Print

The Ultimate Journey (Gold)

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

Stencil, graffiti, and an inventive use of colour are core to the artist's work, as typified in The Ultimate Journey (Gold).

The Ultimate Journey (Gold)
Print

The Ultimate Journey (Blue)

Through Dada-esque portraits, Paul Insect explores freedom and identity in the age of the internet.

Stencil, graffiti, and an inventive use of colour are core to the artist's work, as typified in The Ultimate Journey (Blue).

The Ultimate Journey (Blue)

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Parra's studio, with Parra at the centre, his back to the camera as he works on the large painting takes centre stage, showing a faceless blue woman in a striped dress, painted in red, purple, blue and teal. The studio is full of brightly coloured paints, with a large window on the right and a patterned rug across the floor under the painting.