An absurd/comical aesthetic in a work of art might be achieved through the incongruous juxtaposition of characters/objects, the incorporation of humorous text, the use of cartoon, the simplification of forms, and/or the use of unnatural colors. Ironic juxtapositions of characters/objects might be found through real world observation, but they are just as likely to come from the artist’s imagination.

Artists might manifest an absurd/comical aesthetic in a piece because it suits their temperament, or the artist might choose this aesthetic as a reflection of the characters or settings being portrayed. An absurd/comical aesthetic might also be adopted to make a piece suitable for a setting that demands something ridiculous.

Featured: Halcyon Days of Yore by Steve Banks.