WorkArt & Culture

Andrew Faris combines bold colour-blocking with landscapes for the Instagram generation

At first glance, these images by Andrew Faris look like they've been created digitally. However, upon closer inspection you'll see that they're actually acrylic on canvas. By setting up the abstract art in front of breathtaking landscapes, Faris juxtaposes surrealism with nature.

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Colourful abstract geometric canvas by Andrew Faris positioned on snowy ground with snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees in the background

The artist's statement on his website reads: "In an increasingly complex and competitive society sternly ruled by technology and stainless robotic hands, there is impassioned need for artistic respite. Simplicity, it has been said, is the essence of beauty. I couldn't agree more."

And neither could we. The simplicity in Faris' work is it's strongest point, allowing the images to truly speak for themselves.

Faris studied Fine Arts and Visual Communication Design at Kent State University and undertook further studies with Ruedi Rüegg in Zurich, Switzerland, during which time he was able to refine his outlook and processes. The artist has enjoyed great acclaim on social media, alongside being featured across many art and design blogs.

During a stint at R/GA in NYC, Faris created the New York City Polaroid Project. He moved on to Sapient in San Diego and then became Art Director at Yahoo in Los Angeles. In 2010, he set up Recess, a design studio – also in Los Angeles, along with The Andrew Faris Studio, devoted solely to his artwork.

Check out more on his website and Instagram account.

Colourful abstract acrylic painting with geometric colour blocks mounted on a snow-covered earth mound against a bright blue sky
Bright geometric colour-blocking of lime green, yellow and red squares placed in a grassy landscape with bare trees and stormy sky
Colourful geometric abstract canvas with pink, red, yellow, green, teal and dark blue nested rectangles positioned in a misty mountain landscape with bare trees
Bright geometric squares in yellow, red, orange and blue with central cyan and purple rectangles positioned in front of a snowy mountain landscape and still water
Colourful geometric canvas with concentric rectangles in turquoise, pink, yellow, red, orange and purple positioned on a snowy beach with sparse vegetation
Bright geometric shapes in yellow, orange, red and teal nested within each other, positioned in a dry grassland with snow-capped mountains in the background
Vibrant geometric acrylic painting with colour-blocked squares in turquoise, red, orange, yellow, green and blue positioned in a snowy mountain landscape
Colourful geometric abstract painting with blue, green, yellow, cyan, red and pink sections positioned in a snowy mountain landscape
Bright geometric colour-blocked canvas in purple, green, yellow, red and teal positioned in snowy landscape with bare trees and mountains behind
Bright neon-coloured pixelated square artwork by Andrew Faris positioned in snowy landscape with snow-capped mountains in background
Brightly coloured geometric acrylic painting with concentric squares in yellow, cyan, pink and red displayed in snowy landscape with snow-capped mountain and bare trees in background
Colourful concentric geometric shapes in red, teal, yellow and green painted on canvas positioned in front of a snowy riverside landscape with bare trees
Bright geometric shape with yellow, green, teal, pink and red sections positioned on a gravel riverbed with bare trees and snow beyond
Colourful geometric painting with nested squares in pink, red, yellow, orange and teal placed on a pebble beach with snow and bare trees behind it
Colourful geometric acrylic painting with nested rectangles in blue, yellow, red, black and pink, positioned on snow-covered ground beside a frozen river and forested landscape
Colourful geometric acrylic painting with nested rectangles in cyan, yellow, pink, black and red reflected in still water, framed by snowy riverbanks and bare trees
Andrew Faris's bold geometric acrylic painting in blue, yellow, pink, black and red positioned against snow-covered tree roots and frozen landscape
Brightly coloured concentric squares in yellow, green, red, magenta, black and blue sit in snow against a bare winter forest
Vibrant concentric squares in pink, yellow, orange and blue painted on canvas, positioned in a snowy landscape with snow-capped mountains and bare trees at dusk
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