Science fiction inspired many kinds of fantasy art, including robot art. This art category features robots and cyborgs in many different fashions and styles from simple renderings to complex, digitally produced work. Robot art first began in graphic novels and pulp magazine covers that explored the possibility of technology getting to the point of creating a new metallic life form.
Pop artists such as Andy Warhol and John Golden explored simple robotics in their work, using the bright colors and graphic qualities that characterized science fiction at that time.
As technology has increased, robotics is no longer the domain of fantasy and the artwork that portrays them has become increasingly sophisticated and diverse as a result. Cyborgs, which are a melding of man and machine, have become popular subject among modern surrealists as well as increasingly advanced robots. The ways of portraying these subjects is highly individualized however. Some artists depict robots as human-like clockwork creatures while others relish in completely alien steel beings.
The themes of robot art are as varied and highly debated as the subject matter. For some, the subject is as obvious as that of nature versus technology, but other prominent artists use this category to display social issues and dangers that mankind faces with the ever-increasing reliance on our technological creations. Some surrealist works even display humans in a god-like role, with robots portraying the humans from classical works.
Unlike many other forms of sci-fi art, robot art is one of the most highly commercialized artworks available. With digital technology, the campy graphics and eye lasers have been replaced with extremely sophisticated and detailed techniques that fascinate audiences worldwide. Robot art is being featured in many main areas of the home, rather than being reserved for a child's room. This trend is largely attributed to the appearance of robotics and cyborg art in the mainstream media, as well as the streamlined look of many innovative home decoration styles, which include brushed metal and futuristic effects that draw heavily on science fiction influences.
