Gorefield

Gorefield is an internet meme and subgenre of Garfield fan art characterized by its depiction of the titular Garfield character in a grotesque, monstrous, and often hyperrealistic manner. These depictions frequently portray Garfield as a source of horror, embodying themes of existential dread, body horror, and psychological torment, often directed at his owner, Jon Arbuckle.

The meme originated in the late 2010s, gaining traction through platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram. Unlike traditional Garfield fan art, which often focuses on wholesome or humorous interpretations of the character, Gorefield intentionally subverts the familiar, comfortable image of Garfield into something deeply unsettling.

The appeal of Gorefield lies in its unsettling juxtaposition of the mundane and the terrifying. By twisting a universally recognized and typically benign character into a monstrous form, the meme taps into a sense of primal fear and explores themes of powerlessness and the breakdown of reality. The monstrous forms often feature exaggerated features, distorted anatomy, and elements of body horror, contributing to the overall unsettling effect.

While the exact origins of the term "Gorefield" are debated, it's widely understood to be a portmanteau of "gore" and "Garfield," accurately reflecting the visual content and thematic elements of the meme. The phenomenon represents a darker side of internet culture, demonstrating a fascination with deconstructing and reimagining familiar characters in shocking and disturbing ways.