Is Hyperrealism just copying? Is it even art?

This is something I contemplate often, surprisingly so, especially considering that I would begrudgingly refer to myself as a hyperrealistic pencil artist!

Here's the thing. If I were a painter whose works were of an abstract style, I'd refer to myself as an Abstract Artist or Abstract Painter. Because it clearly identifies my medium, but also the category or style of the art I produce.

Hyperrealism, on the other hand, has a funny hitch to it, because it can feel like a boast rather than a category to my work.

Once I've finally convinced myself that it's not a bragging right, and that I genuinely have to label myself and my work as such, then I come across the people that don't even consider hyperrealism and the like an art form!

If I wanted a crushed can on my wall I'd just take a photo. Where's the message in realism? Aren't you just copying?

Sometimes I even ask myself these questions. As an artist, I'm often thinking about these things and trying to understand why it is this type of work that I'm drawn to, whether or not it is authentic, how to maintain my integrity, and how to develop an artistic style within such a narrow field. Here's where I've landed...

I think that art has many purposes, to evoke emotions, to give the viewer an opportunity to reflect and draw their own conclusions from the experience. It's the delivery of a message that is sometimes literal, but can also be subjective to the viewer. Although something fundamental about all types of art that is glossed over is the craftsmanship that is invested into each piece. So yes, perhaps the hyperrealistic piece you find yourself in front of doesn't have a deeper message, maybe it does, but the hours of labour poured into a piece that is so true to life that it makes you consider "what’s the point?"... that is the point. How on earth did they create the illusion with simply pencils and paper? How many hours did it take to deliver this piece? The patience, determination and obsessive markmaking are qualities I will always be appreciative of. It may look simple, but the fact that someone showed up to execute the idea is part of the concept and the art itself.

I also believe that hyperrealistic artists can still have a point of difference. One, I know many incredible artists within the community and even if we all drew the same subject I believe they would still be different. The way we each interpret colours, our method and techniques allow for many ways our thoughts and message can be unique. Two, the concept and ideas behind each piece influence so much of the art we produce. Hyperrealistic artists have the same skill but the ideas we explore and the way we present them to you will vary greatly. My own practice has evolved from the beginning, just challenging myself to draw random objects as realistically as possible, to now developing and exploring complex concepts and ways to communicate them through hyperrealism.

So I have and always will consider all types of art as art. It's the consideration, conceptualisation and most importantly the act of creation and the labour involved that makes the art. And specifically in the case of hyperrealistic drawings, the challenge, craftsmanship, investment and patience involved are the things that always have me coming back to the desk for more.

R