Grotesque as a phenomenon and its reflections on contemporary ceramic art

Grotesque, which has maintained a continuous relationship with art since the 16th century, is a term associated with expression forms that can be surreal and absurd, born from the synthesis of imagination and reality. The term "grotesque" has historically been used to describe works that are "disturbingly strange" up until the 20th-21st centuries. In the contemporary art scene, it is known that grotesque is related to expressions that contain allegorical connotations and contrasts associated with imagination. Grotesque has appeared as a phenomenon and style in many art forms throughout history and has also been reflected in ceramic art since the 20th century. Ceramics began to include intellectual, formal, and aesthetic concerns different from traditional approaches with the emergence of modern art. It has been accepted as an art discipline since the 20th century. In this context, ceramic art has become conducive to the formation of different forms of expression and has begun to include various styles in the pursuit of effective expression and originality. In the postmodern period, grotesque has produced a strong alliance with ceramic material in terms of surpassing traditional understandings. Grotesque, which allows for the formation of contrasting images, the creation of unusual-surreal images, and metaphoric expressions, is a method that forms the entirety of frequently used elements in contemporary ceramic art. This research will focus on the strong impact and reflections of grotesque as a phenomenon and style in various art fields and contemporary ceramic art.