Food art

Contemporary food artists have experimented using different method and techniques like photography to change its purpose and use it as a source of story telling, humour and highlighting current world issues, such as racism[1] and political activism.

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have allowed artists and amateur users to share their creations easily online and start trends like #foodporn and #instafood as a result.

So far, Red has created works depicting Ai Weiwei's face from sunflower seeds, Jay Chou out of coffee stains and other contemporary Chinese icons out of various objects.

[7] As well as humour, artistic works challenge current global and political issues with her most recent project involves a series of portraits of Asian individuals out of foodstuff such as cake sprinkles and matcha leaves titled "I am not a virus."

[1] Food art can question, surprise and engage the visitor by prioritising social interactions and participation in the event to form discussion of the subject matter.

Artistic works that use food as a medium can be representational and express emotions metaphorically, as according to art critic Carolyn Korsmeyer, it can provide a perspective on what it symbolises.

[15] Despite the painting focusing on Judas' betrayal, the depictions of the meal features the dense symbolism of the story with bread and wine incorporated to represent the body and blood of Christ, which he sacrificed on behalf of mankind.

[17]During the Renaissance period, Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo painted several human portraits where facial features of individuals were composed of fruits, vegetables and flowers with the intention of creating humorous amusement and symbolic curiosity.

Particularly, what food items were displayed told a story by reflecting on societal culture and signified an individual's wealth and status, such as lobster, citrus fruits and cured meats.

[23] Exhibited at the Salon and donated to King Louis XVIII, her work featured an elaborate arrangement of lobster at the foreground surrounded by mounds of fruit, vegetables, meats and a silver vessel.

[24] Coined as "a summation of her work",[25] her specific brushstroke technique and use of vivid colours to create a luminous feature on the lobster shell seeks to appeal to the luxurious consumption of food and lifestyle of the French and Dutch elite.