avant-garde

avant-garde

Meaning

• this phrase refers to artists whose work was ahead of their times
• it refers to legends in the artistic world or musicians or writers who could create pieces which belonged to the next era
• implies that the artistic creation is ahead of times and different to what is being done by everyone else in that genre
• could refer to anything which is beyond the current imagination of people and is not restricted to artistic work

Example Sentences

1. This fair has many sculptures and paintings that are avant-garde.
2. He was avant-garde which is why he eventually got so popular.
3. I do not understand paintings that are avant-garde. I like my art simple and from the present times only.
4. When you are in the real estate industry then thinking avant-garde helps tremendously.
5. I love seeing the look of people when you put your avant-garde sculptures on display.
6. Since early fifties, the trade fair has been a major showcase for the avant-grade.

Origin

The phrase has its origin from the colonial times and a European influence. The word “avant” is French in origin, which means “before”. The word “garde” could, in logical sequence, be pointing out to time. The literary source of the origin for this phrase is still to be ascertained though.