Take the provocative works of Édouard Manet, bridging the gap between the two most important art movements with unimaginably (at least at that time) realistic views of consumer society embedded subtly in pure colors. Or those of painter, printmaker, and illustrator Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. His infamous advertorial poster for the then-popular French club – Moulin Rouge is an evergreen example of how art and artists have been dominating advertising since time immemorial.

A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, 1882 by Édouard Manet is perhaps most representative of his innovations, relying on commonplace imagery to offer complicated formal experiments.

When the brassy dance hall and drinking garden of the Moulin Rouge opened on the boulevard de Clichy in 1889, one of Lautrec’s paintings was displayed near the entrance.

Courtesy: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Official Site.

The debate surrounding whether advertising can be considered an art has not been without its share of criticism. Over the years of digital evolution, advertising has also been questioned to be a science. This is especially true with the massive abundance of data and its application in the field.

Kapil Bhimekar, Creative Director at Leo Burnett by the day and artist by night, draws a very interesting opinion on this notion. “Art has the power to transform human behavior,” he says. “Advertising essentially is all about tapping into human behavior, persuading a consumer. If you can use art to influence your consumer – advertising ultimately becomes art.”

The “We Can Do It” wartime poster from World War II, continued to make waves even in the 2000s. The bold use of primary colors combined with the insight – to empower the female workers in factories at that time, serves witness to Bhimekar’s perspective.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Bhimekar’s own artistry is guided by a profound desire for expression. He finds his voice in the simplicity of monochrome. “Art should be simple,” he insists. “I’ve explored various styles, but monochrome became my calling. When your art effortlessly reflects your inner self, it’s a sign that you’ve struck the right chord.”

 “A Room with a View” is a glimpse of Bhimekar’s last travel, which was to Greece in 2019.

In the intersection of art and advertising, creativity serves as the link. Contemporary advertisers and marketers face substantial demands to infuse more meaning and reality into their campaigns. According to Bhimekar, the solution lies in “celebrating brands.” He emphasizes that advertising goes beyond merely conveying a brand message; it can also convey a societal message. Work celebrated at this year’s Cannes Lions edition illustrates the importance of achieving a delicate equilibrium. He emphasis how crucial it is to uphold this equilibrium when selecting insights as the foundation for our work.

As we continue to explore the realm where art and advertising converge, it becomes evident that these two worlds not only coexist but also harmonize to create compelling and influential messages that resonate with audiences on a profound level.

“What if you had a story to tell, but no one to tell it to? What if you had a joke to crack, but no one around one to laugh at it? What if you had a question to ask, but no one there to answer? What if you had a secret to share, but no one to whisper it to? These are the questions that provoked artist Bhimekar’s interactive installation – ‘I hear you’.”
When asked what he’d choose – art or advertising, Bhimekar chose not to choose. “You can do both. Both these worlds offer the creative outlet I need to express myself. I still feel advertising has a lot of scope to reward and satisfy me creatively. So I’m still in the business because I still love creating ads every single day for my client. So for me, that is, that is how I see it. It’s not about industries, it’s about the channels that, okay, now, I’m able to create work in advertising and still have creative satisfaction. So I’m fine doing that. But even art on in my free time I create art and even that satisfies me creatively. So I don’t think creatives should look at it in such a rigid way. Because I don’t think what’s going to happen like three years down the line if, like, what will change in the in the business? Because it’s come? It’s continuously shifting, right? The business is transforming. So I think that’s how I look at like, where you can apply your creativity and get that satisfaction.”

When asked to make a choice between art and advertising, Bhimekar opted not to confine himself to one or the other. He emphasized that both these realms provide him with the creative outlets he needs for self-expression. Bhimekar’s passion for advertising remains strong, as he continues to relish the process of crafting ads for his clients every day. “Advertising still offers ample room for creative fulfillment and so does creating art, it satisfies my creative impulses,” he said.

He suggests creatives not view this decision in rigid terms because industries and opportunities evolve over time. With the ever-shifting landscape of the business world, it’s essential to remain adaptable when seeking avenues for creative expression and satisfaction.

“I stick to giving a one-line brief to my team at Leo Burnett – which is to steer away from seeking inspiration solely within the confines of advertising,” he emphasizes. “It’s a common pitfall for young advertisers to fixate on award-winning campaigns as their primary source of inspiration. To me, this approach is superficial and limiting in the context of our industry. Instead, my initial guidance to any aspiring creative is to discover their genuine passion in the realm of creative expression. It could be photography, music, or painting – whatever resonates with them. I encourage them to immerse themselves in the work of masters in their chosen field and learn from that experience. Only then can their work in advertising be truly authentic, honest, and genuine. Without this personal connection to their craft, they risk merely emulating past successful advertisements. So, for me, this is the key to inspiring and nurturing creative talent.”