Distortion - Arcy Art Original Oil Paintings Art Dictionary

Distortion can be of two kinds: formal or emotional. Distortion presupposes a norm or order from which to depart and in representation it must have a recognisable reference to the norm which is distorted for example a distorted circle. A nonrepresentational or nonfigurative shape cannot be distorted because it does not depart from a recognisable norm: distortion can be used intentionally or unintentionally. It was used intentionally for expressive and emotional ends in the 20th century. Not only figures, but objects and space can be distorted.

Back to Art Dictionary - D