arty
Trying too hard
Arty describes something that tries conspicuously to be artistic or that affects an artistic sensibility.
The word is mildly dismissive—it suggests pretension or self-conscious style over substance: The café had an arty vibe with mismatched furniture and abstract paintings.
An arty person cultivates the appearance of being creative or bohemian.
Also spelled artsy, especially in American English.
Artificially contrived behavior
- ostentatiousShowily excessive
- pompousAffectedly grand in manner
- snobbishCondescending toward perceived inferiors
- conceitedExcessively proud of oneself
highbrow · elitist · snooty · self-important · highfalutin · pseudo-intellectual · overwrought · showy
Full of varied hues
- painterlyShowing visible brushwork
- brushstrokesMarks left by painting
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- paletteSurface for mixing pigments
pigment · chromatic · saturated · vivid · impressionistic · expressionistic · abstract · figurative
Able to conceive new ideas
- inventiveShowing original thought
- originalFirst or inventive
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
conceptual · expressive · experimental · inspired · crafty · resourceful · ingenious · aesthetic
Rejects prevailing social standards
- beatnikFifties counterculture member
- hippieSixties counterculture member
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- alternativeAnother available choice
offbeat · indie · underground · countercultural · avant-garde · rebel · fringe · subculture
Tasteful, current flair
- fashionableCurrently in style
- trendyCurrently in vogue
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- designerOne who plans appearances
curated · aesthetic · polished · sleek · bespoke · tailored · dapper · sharp
Assembled mixed-media artwork
- assemblageCollected group of things
- pasticheImitative artistic tribute
- bricolageConstruction from available materials
- montageAssembled sequence of images
juxtaposition · mosaic · patchwork · fusion · hodgepodge · potpourri · amalgam · curated
affected
Artificially contrived behavior
- ostentatiousShowily excessive
- pompousAffectedly grand in manner
- snobbishCondescending toward perceived inferiors
conceited · highbrow · elitist · snooty · self-important · highfalutin · pseudo-intellectual · overwrought · showy · superficial
colorful
Full of varied hues
- painterlyShowing visible brushwork
- brushstrokesMarks left by painting
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
palette · pigment · chromatic · saturated · vivid · impressionistic · expressionistic · abstract · figurative · textured
imaginative
Able to conceive new ideas
innovative · conceptual · expressive · experimental · inspired · crafty · resourceful · ingenious · aesthetic · painterly
nonconformist
Rejects prevailing social standards
- beatnikFifties counterculture member
- hippieSixties counterculture member
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
alternative · offbeat · indie · underground · countercultural · avant-garde · rebel · fringe · subculture · anarchic
chic
Tasteful, current flair
- fashionableCurrently in style
- trendyCurrently in vogue
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
designer · curated · aesthetic · polished · sleek · bespoke · tailored · dapper · sharp · smart
collage
Assembled mixed-media artwork
- assemblageCollected group of things
- pasticheImitative artistic tribute
- bricolageConstruction from available materials
montage · juxtaposition · mosaic · patchwork · fusion · hodgepodge · potpourri · amalgam · curated · collected
artyunpretentious
Lacking false superiority
down-to-earth · unaffected · genuine · straightforward · natural
artyplain
Basic and unremarkable
simple · unadorned · basic · functional · utilitarian
artyunsophisticated
Lacking refinement or complexity
artistic · lowbrow · philistine · uncultured · artless
- martial artistCombat discipline practitioner
- artistic freedomRight to create unrestrained
- work of artAesthetic creation for appreciation
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- artistic licenceCreative deviation from accuracy
- art museumInstitution displaying visual works
art, artist, artistic, artistry, artful, artisan, artifact, artifice, artless