Reclaiming Kitsch as High Art

While kitsch is usually an insult for bad taste, a group of painters has rebranded it as a noble philosophy. They argue that high-emotion, romantic art should be praised rather than looked down upon by the modern establishment.

Norwegian artist Odd Nerdrum launched this movement to challenge the coldness of contemporary art galleries. By embracing ancient techniques, these painters aim to capture human emotion through storytelling. They define their work as a spiritual successor to the craft of ancient Greece. Instead of trying to fit into the mainstream art scene, they treat their movement as a completely independent way of life.