Bringing Art and Community Together, Creating a Community of Artists!
A Feast for the Eyes: The Art of Picnics and Cultivating Community on International Picnic Day 2025
For centuries, picnics have symbolised leisure, togetherness, and a harmonious relationship with nature. In art, they have served as vivid scenes of social interaction, reflections of cultural values, and even subtle critiques of society. As we approach International Picnic Day on June 18th, it’s the perfect moment to explore how artists of the 20th and 21st centuries have depicted picnics—and how we can use their inspiration to foster creativity and community through art today.
Picnics in 20th and 21st-Century Art: A Celebration of Nature and Society
From the Impressionistic influences of the early 20th century to contemporary interpretations of communal dining, artists have long embraced the picnic as a subject of fascination. Let's look at some key artistic representations of picnics and their evolving symbolism over time.
Post-Impressionism and Early Modernism: The Picnic as a Stage for Colour and Light
Following the groundwork laid by artists like Édouard Manet Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe, (1863), early 20th-century artists carried the picnic theme into new stylistic territories. Henri Matisse’s Luxe, Calme et Volupté (1904) and Pierre Bonnard’s sun-drenched domestic scenes offer vibrant, dreamy interpretations of outdoor dining such as By the Sea, Under the Pines (1921). Their use of bold colours and expressive brushwork capture the joyful, unstructured essence of picnicking—a theme still echoed in contemporary art today.
By Henri Matisse - Photographed by Coldcreation, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157536824
By The Sea, Under the Pines by Pierre Bonnard 1921 Post-Impressionism.
https://www.wikiart.org/en/pierre-bonnard/by-the-sea-under-the-pines-1921
By Édouard Manet - twELHYoc3ID_VA at Google Cultural Institute maximum zoom level, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21855901
Mid-Century Abstraction and Pop Art: The Picnic as a Symbol of Change
As the 20th century progressed, movements like Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art infused new energy into the theme. Jackson Pollock’s dynamic, chaotic compositions, while not literal depictions of picnics, embody the untamed, spontaneous spirit of outdoor feasts. Meanwhile, Pop artists like David Hockney explored themes of leisure, often portraying friends gathered around swimming pools and picnics in stylised, sun-soaked settings. His 1960s works, with their bright palettes and simplified forms, frame communal moments as playful and idyllic, reflecting the optimism of the era.
David Hockney, The Dancers V, 27 August - 4 September, 2014, acrylic on canvas, 48" x 72" (121.9 cm x 182.9 cm) © 2019 David Hockney https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/david-hockney/
Contemporary Art: Picnics as Political and Social Commentary
In more recent decades, artists have used the motif of picnics to explore deeper social themes. British contemporary artist Lucy Sparrow has created textile-based installations featuring picnic scenes, transforming everyday food items into soft sculptures that question mass consumption and nostalgia.
The work of Lucy Sparrow.
Image of a Felt Picnic Installation created for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Big Lunch at The Oval by Lucy Sparrow.
For more information go to this link.
The work of Rirkrit Tiravanija
Meanwhile, artists like Rirkrit Tiravanija take the communal aspect of picnics into the realm of participatory art—his interactive installations involve preparing and sharing meals with audiences, blurring the lines between art and life. These works embrace the social function of picnicking as a means of bringing people together, making them highly relevant to celebrating International Picnic day.
Rirkrit Tiravanija. untitled 1992-1995 (free/still). 1992/1995/1997/1998/1999/2003/2007/2011–. Photograph taken by Ryan Muir
https://www.moma.org/slideshows/659/6585#top
https://www.momaps1.org/en/events/361-rirkrit-tiravanijas-untitled-1992-1995-free-still
Celebrating International Picnic Day 2025 Through Art
Bringing Art and Community Together, Creating a Community of Artists!
We can embrace International Picnic Day by bringing art and the community together, thereby creating a vibrant community of artists.
The picnic has long been an artistic muse, reflecting joy, camaraderie, and cultural shifts throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Earlier this year World Art Day 2025 invited us to see art as a shared experience—one that cultivates community like a thriving garden.
Inspired by artistic interpretations of picnics, here are some ways we can engage with the theme whilst enjoying a shared experience:
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Host a Community Art Picnic: Gather artists and art lovers outdoors to create plein air paintings, sketches, or even collaborative murals while sharing food and conversation.
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Create Picnic-Inspired Art: Use the classic picnic setting as a subject for your own artwork. Experiment with colour, composition, and perspective to reinterpret the theme in a modern context.
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Interactive Art Installations: Organise an art event where participants contribute to a large-scale community artwork, much like Rirkrit Tiravanija’s social installations.
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DIY Art Kits for Outdoor Creativity: Pack a basket with sketchbooks, watercolours, and mixed media tools to take creativity outside, celebrating art in nature.
We have a list of products together to make it easier for you to gather your materials in one bundle.
Essential Equipment for the Avid Sketcher
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As we celebrate International Picnic Day 2025, let this be a reminder of how art can thrive in the simplest of settings—under open skies, surrounded by nature, and in the company of like-minded creatives. Whether you're sketching dappled light through the trees, painting wildflowers, or simply sharing ideas with fellow artists on a blanket in the park, you're creating more than just artwork—you're cultivating a sanctuary. A little green space becomes a canvas for connection, mindfulness, and inspiration. So pack your paints, grab a picnic, and take your practice outdoors. Let art and community grow side by side, one brushstroke—and one shared moment—at a time.
