Hands up if you’ve heard of the term ‘parody art‘ and have no idea what this means? Well, you’ve come to the right place. As an occasional parody artist, I thought it was time to offer an in-depth explanation, share some parody art examples and explain how you can also create your own masterpieces.
Welcome to the deep, dark, and often spiralling art genre that will catch you doodling classic art parody ideas on every surface you see.
So, without further ado, let’s get spoofing started.
What is the meaning of parody?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a parody as:
Writing, music, art, speech, etc. that intentionally copies the style of someone famous or copies a particular situation, making the features or qualities of the original more noticeable in a way that is humorous.
So, what is parody art?
Parody art, also known as irony art, satire art or spoof art, reimagines an existing artwork with a modern twist. This ‘twist’ could be humorous, a mockery, a criticism against the original work or satirical commentary that aims to inspire a social reformation.
To date, the Mona Lisa parody is one of the most spoofed artworks. Just do a quick Google search, and you’ll see her donning a gas mask, cradling a cat or quirkily sculpted from pasta. These are all great examples of parody art.
Within the parody genre, there is even a parody art competition. The Turnip Prize is a satirical interpretation of the internationally acclaimed Turner Prize.
Parody art examples
Art parodies have been around for many years. Some are famous, some are funny, but they all have one thing in common – they’re based on another artwork.
Take a look, and see how many you recognise.
Art parody ideas
Looking to create your own parody art? It’s really quite simple.
- Start by selecting a piece of original artwork. I recommend choosing something that’s pretty well known, otherwise, your audience may mistake your piece for the original – and the humour will be lost.
- Having chosen your artwork, examine every inch of it; understand the colours, tone, mood, any people, animals or food items. Everything.
- Then, choose a topic. Maybe politics. Technology. Pesticides. Or LGBTQ+ rights. Once you’ve decided, think about the visual cues that come to mind.
- Finally, see how you can naturally weave these visual cues into the art.
Let’s bring this to life, using the infamous Mona Lisa, by Leonardo Da Vinci.
Mona Lisa parody ideas
If the Mona Lisa was celebrating gay pride, she could be holding a pride flag.
Or, if the Mona Lisa were featured in Harry Potter, there could be a castle in the background.
Parody law art
If you’re interested in creating parody art in the UK, there are four things to bear in mind. Please note, that these facts were correct as of 2022.
Ask permission (where possible)
This may be time-consuming, but securing approval will set your legal parameters. If permission is refused, you could still create the work providing it is fair and you adhere to the other rules.
How much are you copying?
When deciding if a parody has infringed on original artwork, courts consider how much of the original composition has changed. For example, if you’ve only introduced a small detail like a blue line, or a wedding ring, then you could be infringing.
However, if you’ve recreated the image with a new model and added text in a new typeface, then this may not infringe. Instead, it would embody the spirit of the original artwork in a parody style.
Could it do commercial harm?
If your unlicensed parody could cause economic harm to the rights-holder (the person who holds the rights to the original artwork. They may or may not be the original artist) and you haven’t sought permission, you could be at risk of being sued.
Freedom of expression
Countries that recognise free speech generally encourage parodies, while respecting the rights of the rights holders. These people have the right to ensure their work does not deliver a negative or discriminatory message. e.g. If the main character from a peaceful scene was changed to a member of the KKK.
Conclusion
And there you have it. I’ve explained what parody art is, shared some famous parody art examples, and explained how you can make your own artwork.
What parody art are you planning to create? I’d love to see it; just drop a link to your work in the comments below.
That’s all for now ✌️
Your paint-pal
Hi there; I’m Rebecca, a British artist and copywriter, and I’ll never be ‘ready enough’ to write a bio in the third person. I’ve been practising my crafts ever since the day I picked up my first pair of scissors in primary school and glued my fringe to a collage. Tasteful, eh?
When I’m neither painting nor writing, you’ll find me gardening, snowboarding, baking cinnamon buns or practising Muay Thai.
Frequently asked questions
What is a parody in art?
Parody art serves as a satirical commentary, mockery or general criticism against an original piece of work. An element is exaggerated, warped or replaced for comedic effect. A parody can appear in any art form, from painting to installation, ceramics to song, and beyond.
What is satirical art?
Satirical art holds a topic up for ridicule and intends to inspire a social reformation. Forms of satirical art can include (but are not limited to) dramatic writings, caricatures and parody songs.
Are parodies illegal?
Parodies are legal in most countries, providing they recognise freedom of expression. In the UK, you should also consider getting permission from the rights-holder if your artwork may do commercial harm, or depending on how much of an artwork you are copying.
