How is Collage unique from other art forms?

Collage is unique because it directly incorporates existing materials rather than creating images from scratch. This allows artists to import real-world references, combine disparate sources, and create meaning through juxtaposition rather than representation. Collage democratizes art-making by using accessible materials and challenges traditional hierarchies between ‘high’ art and everyday imagery. The technique fundamentally influenced 20th-century art by introducing found objects and real-world fragments into fine art contexts. For Surrealists, collage enabled unexpected combinations that could bypass rational thought and access unconscious associations. Contemporary artists continue pushing collage into digital territories while honoring its material traditions. Explore collage artworks on Surrealism Today.