Art doesn’t always have to have a reason for being, sometimes it’s simply a good-looking image that is visually attractive, and that’s the end of the matter. However, when art does have a meaning - political, societal or otherwise - it really adds another layer of importance and intrigue to it.

This is certainly the case for many of the artworks of Gérard Rancinan, who often comments on violence, societal issues, politics, and aspects of popular culture through his unusual photographs.

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The Bordeux-born photographer made a name for himself as a photojournalist, working with the likes of Sports Illustrated and Time Magazine, before starting-up his own studio a pursuing his photography as an art form. Rancinan’s experience of covering wars, riots and natural disasters as a journalist directly shaped the critical tone of his later work, with many of his photographs portraying deeply cynical messages about modern society.

Géricault’s Raft of Medusa (left), inspired Rancinan’s Raft of Illusions (right).

His works are often based on classical narratives and iconic artworks, such as Théodore Géricault’s 1818-1819 painting Raft of the Medusa (above), but feature contemporary pop culture figures and objects in dramatic situations. He took that photo as part of his epic series Trilogy of the Moderns, a 70-photograph collection which he worked on with author Caroline Gaudriault.

Here are some of his most dramatic, impressive and, in some cases, downright bizarre shots:

Details: For more information, visit rancinan.com