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Add to FavoritesIf you define anthro as meaning anthropomorphic and follow the definition according to the dictionary as "ascribing human form or attributes to a being or thing not human, esp. to a deity" or "resembling or made to resemble a human form" then no, people who draw anthropomorphic characters are not fetishists.
If, however, you define anthro as relating to the "Furry Fandom" subculture, one can not separate its history from that of "furverts" (a conjunction of "furry" and "pervert") who are a specific subgroup of the subculture that draw, write about, or otherwise portray human-animal hybrids in sexual intercourse or in states of arousal. Most often this takes the form of either anatomically correct or exaggerated cat-human hybrids, fox-human hybrids, or mythical creatures (such as dragons, griffins or phoenixes) made more human then is traditional "yiffing" which is a subculture-specific word meaning having sex.
Because the Furry Fandom subculture is largely self produced, as opposed to similar Anime, Comic Book, Specific Movie or Television Series Fandoms, these "furverts" can not be declared non cannon, as can people who draw characters from the above mentioned fandoms in sexual acts can be, since there is no authority authorized to decree what is and is not legitimate Furry Fandom. Thus "furverts" have experienced more prominence within their chosen fandom then their fetishist counterparts in others.
In addition, a large appeal of the Furry Fandom is the expression of human emotions as animalistic and primitive through portrayal of animal-human crossbreeds caught up in that exact emotion. Rage is popular, depictions of Furry battle scenes can be found set anywhere from far in the past, with swords and shields and armor, to far in the future, with lasers set aboard space ships. Lust is often shown as well in not-quite-bestial depictions of humanized animals in the heat of passion.
Rarely can one attend a Furcon, a convention of people dedicated to the Furry Fandom, without their attention at some point being drawn to a concealed, X-rated art showing requiring proof of age to enter. Although these showings can include legitimate art depicting nude hybrids, often the intention is to serve as, to be blunt, porn.
So while perhaps not all anthropomorphic artists are fetishists, fetishists make up enough of the artist base to not be easily dismissible, and a consideration of anthropomophic art without references to sex and fetish is incomplete at best.
Learn more about this author, Jessica Stier.
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Art
Grouping large groups of people into a single category is rarely a good idea. There are very few cases when such groupings work. In order to answer a question that is posed with the purpose of grouping everyone in a group under a title we are forced to go with the majority. As such, the majority of those who draw or other wise design anthropomorphic characters are artists.
What is an anthropomorphic character?
Understanding this question first requires that we describe what it is that is truly being discussed. Anthropomorphic by definition has to do with attributing human characteristics on non-human objects, creatures, and deities. It has, as such, been around a long time. In the Bible we see the serpent who acts very much as a human and convinces the Eve to eat the fruit and to share it with her husband. In Greek mythology we see the gods and goddesses as humans with great powers. Over time, this word has also taken to mean animal people hybrids. Even these creatures have been around for ages with things like the centaurs, the spyinx, and the mermaid.
With anthropomorphic artwork, there aren't very many rules. These drawings and characters can be animal with human characteristics, half human and half animal, or they can be human with some characteristics like an animal. All of these characters can and often are called anthropomorphic.
Why Draw Anthropomorphic Characters?
Creating new creatures has long been something mankind has enjoyed. We have told great stories about such beasts, we have created super humans, and super villains based on such creatures, and we have enjoyed trying to take our skills to new levels. Some artists work very hard to make their work into very realistic versions of human and animal. Whether the artist attacks it from a cartoonist viewpoint, or a realistic art point it is all about creating something new, stretching your skills, and taking you farther then you have ever been before.
Where Did the Fetishists Questions Come From?
When browsing through anthropomorphic types of art you will see a great deal of cartoon types of drawings. People with cat ears, or wolf features. Those with tails and large teeth. All sorts of stuff. However, once you enter the world of the realistic you see nudity included in very human and animal detail. Sometimes these works are portrayed as sexual. They are done in ways that look sexual in poses, in actions, and are adult in nature. This is where and why many ask if this is art, or merely fetish work.
This is a question that only the artist can answer. There are many who probably draw these pieces with a passion for the art, for human and animal body forms, and are all about creation and not fetishism. They can be seen much in the same way as an artist who loves to draw the human body. Artists often enjoy the challenge that the body creates for them. There is something that is wonderful about creating it in accurate and beautiful forms.
There are probably some that are fetishists. There are probably some who purchase books of such artwork for the same reason they purchase a play boy. However, that doesn't mean that the majority of the group could ever be called fetishists. There is a wide variety of artwork that falls into the anthropomorphic category and as such a wide variety of artists. Most of them are nothing more then artists.
Learn more about this author, Danelle Karth.
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