ADVERTISEMENT

Meet Varkey, the digital creator who's changing the art game! Starting as a hobby during lockdowns, Varkey's art has exploded on Instagram, with over 102 thousand fans worldwide. His secret? Mixing classical art with today's humor.

“Whenever I see a painting I try to imagine how the painting would look if it was painted in the 21st century. I also try to correlate it with pop culture,” the creator shared with Bored Panda. Scroll down for some nods and giggles!

More info: Instagram

#1

Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

_varkey Report

Lisa Catlin
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

CAPTCHA likes to keep us humans in line.

ANGEL BABY
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for that, because I didn't have a clue what he was talking about, lol

Load More Replies...
TheGoodBoi
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's always that one frame that's questionable

Bored Panda reached out to Vrakey again to learn more about his creative process and himself. The digital creator told us that he used to spend time browsing the internet, looking at lots of classical paintings. Creating memes helped him discover new paintings, which inspired him to continue making them.

RELATED:
    #2

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    flower petals
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Damn! 🔥 (Now let me just write that down..)

    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That one took me too long.

    #3

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you have to ask, probably the latter. From Canada. Met at summer camp.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    In a previous interview, Varkey mentioned that at the start of the 2020 lockdowns, he saw posters by the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture featuring classical paintings with masks and gloves. He loved the idea and wanted to create something similar. When asked how the Covid-19 lockdowns influenced his creative process and unique art style, the digital creator replied, "During Covid, stuck at home for 3 months, I had lots of time and spent much of it making memes."

    #5

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    TheGoodBoi
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Think it'll work with credit debt?

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She needs to get out in the sun.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got downvoted for that comment once. Here's my upvote as immunization.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Creating art mashups that blend classical artworks with contemporary references is a fascinating process. Varkey shared that he enjoys art that captures everyday moments like people flirting, families hanging out, and paintings packed with details.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe SHE should have been on vibration mode, too.

    Janet L
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonder how she managed the hairstyle, the ribbons, the fancy dress - obviously has a nanny

    Harley Hottell
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I imagine the dude saying "Wait why? Where are we going?"

    We asked Varkey if there are any new themes or styles he's excited to explore. "As of now, I don't plan to change it; I just want to share classical paintings and make people laugh," he replied.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    james stevenson
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And Saint Attila raised the Hand Grenade up on high, saying, "O Lord, bless this Thy Hand Grenade that, with it, Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits in Thy mercy."

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    flower petals
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should take whatever makes those pounds stick to you and make a new type of superglue out of it.

    #15

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How can you be sure it's a LONG-TERM goal?

    Melinda Landis
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some of the art work on the walls etc is...kinda weird?

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    james stevenson
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "do you have onlyfans" *me at counter* "we have fans, heaters, aircons and lighting."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #19

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Nonna_SoF
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it just me or is she staring at her tits?

    #20

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Nika the Great
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The funny thing is this painting is about a man professing love to a woman who laughs in his face.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #23

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unless you can find a job that require hands with seven fingers.

    flower petals
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just going by the visual- I like the colors on this one.

    #24

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s how I’m living my life!

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's how I justify mine.

    Load More Replies...
    Delta Dawn
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I prefer to be used as a cautionary tale

    james stevenson
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    or the example of "work hard at school or you'll end up like them"

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Hi
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks like it could've been a Jethro Tull album cover..

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Say goodnight, Gracie."

    StretcherBearer
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honey I'm off to 70s pimp hat merchant.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #28

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here’s a tip: Don’t go out with dirty old men.

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With that age gap, she should use carbon dating.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe if she was on vibration mode she would not have this crying baby.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Jeolas1
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Censoring of female nipples especially hilarious here where the male nipples are right next to them, looking exactly the same as the female nipples would.

    taarna23
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But female nipples are for sex and men's ones are not. /s (Seriously, what a stupid double-standard.)

    Load More Replies...
    Mike Crow
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Censorship of art needs to stop.

    Paul C.
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    BP, nipple tape, are you sure? Thank you for saving us from the horror. Good Grief.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    james stevenson
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "We 'av found a witch may be burn 'er?" *Assorted cries of "BURN 'ER"*

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #36

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #38

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He’s a good yarn holder. Maybe keep him.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #40

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    james stevenson
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    me: *gets left on read* "Okay cool, they saw my message." other people: *gets left on read* "WHY DO THEY HATE ME?!?!"

    me myself and i (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    anxiety. low self esteem. overthinking. there’s probably more, but those are the ones that make me think that way, anyway. I’m super proud of you that you overcame it and/or know your worth though!

    Load More Replies...
    Kerry Borthwick
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Leave me on read =anxiety intensives

    #41

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Toothless Feline
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate weddings and funerals equally.

    Bettye McKee
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like weddings. You get to see the couple while they're still happy.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    Lisa Catlin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The look on the woman’s face in the back.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #49

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #50

    Renaissance Meets Memes: Varkey's Hilarious Art Mashups

    _varkey Report

    ADVERTISEMENT