The concept of “hyperreality” was proposed by French theorist Jean Baudrillard during the 1980s to describe a society in which citizens are unable to distinguish between reality and simulation. The world, according to Baudrillard, had been substituted with “false pictures” – to the point where it is impossible to tell the difference between what is real and artificial. In the wake of ChatGPT, generative tools and AI image generators, this concept couldn’t be more timely. Here are five photographers who engage with ideas of truth and fiction – presenting heightened visions of landscapes and cities through lens-based trickery, editing and mesmerising colour palettes. They can be found on online art gallery Singulart.
Trained in both Chinese painting and contemporary art, Kaixuan Feng creates work that sits at the intersection of traditional techniques and new media. Shown above is Don de Soi ( N° XXVII ), in which a lone figure – dressed in red – stands amidst a misty blue-green landscape. Single subjects are a recurring theme in Kaixuan Feng’s compositions, often positioned amongst nature or decaying architecture.
Ben Nason took this photograph at one o’clock in the morning whilst staying with friends on the Normandy coast. “It was shot on 35mm film and was a long exposure – in this case of around two minutes,” the artist explains. “It forms part of a collection of spaces that I came across at night that had an altered ambience to their daytime counterpart.” What emerges is a place that feels mysterious and familiar, all at once.
“This series is inspired by the nightlife of foliage, and is a glimpse of what we might see if our night vision had truly evolved.” Tom Leighton is a British photographer known for speculative images depicting cities of the future. “After the sun fades, the process of photosynthesis stops and respiration begins. Plants begin to burn their stored sugars and breathe back in some of the precious oxygen they have created. The colours represent the light absorbed within the structure of the plants and its conversion to energy.”
Caravaggio and Rembrandt are listed amongst Damian Siqueiros’ biggest influences. The Mexican-born, Montreal-based artist creates carefully composed scenes that pay close attention to detail and lighting. Pictured here is Symbiosis, part of a larger series that talks about our role as stewards of the natural world. The body of work considers ways in which we can live in harmony with the world’s ecosystems.
In this digital photo collage, Holger Mühlbauer-Gardemin layers industrial architecture against a pastel skyline. The piece offers a contemporary twist on the tradition of Bernd and Hilla Becher (1931–2007; 1934–2015), the German artist duo remembered for their depictions of disappearing machinery – blast furnaces, grain silos, cooling towers and gas tanks – across Western Europe and North America.
Singulart is an online art gallery that serves as a bridge between contemporary talent and art enthusiasts from around the world. Founded with the vision of democratising the art world, it offers a curated selection of high-quality pieces spanning various styles, mediums and themes. With its dedication to promoting diverse creative voices and making art more accessible, Singulart has become a dynamic platform that redefines how visual media is discovered, shared and enjoyed in the digital age.
Image Credits:
1. Symbiosis-Ondine, Damian Siqueiros, Canada, 2020.
2. Don de Soi ( N° XXVII ), Kaixuan Feng, China, 2018.
3. Untitled (Les Essarts), Ben Nason, United Kingdom, 2003.
4. Flame, Tom Leighton, United Kingdom, 2023.
5. Charged, Tom Leighton, United Kingdom, 2023.
6. Symbiosis-Ondine, Damian Siqueiros, Canada, 2020.
7. INDUSTRIELOOK II, Holger Mühlbauer-Gardemin, Germany, 2017.
