biomorphic

Biomorphic, from Greek bios "life" and morphe "form," is an adjective used to describe forms and designs that resemble living organisms. In art and design, biomorphic shapes are curvilinear, flowing, and irregular, often abstract rather than representational.

The term gained prominence in the 20th century within Surrealism and abstract art. Artists such as Jean Arp and Joan Miró produced works featuring soft, organic shapes that suggested growth or biological form without depicting specific organisms. In sculpture, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth used biomorphic, rounded forms to evoke nature and human anatomy. In design and architecture, biomorphic aesthetics contributed to Modernist and postwar works characterized by smooth, plant-like silhouettes and dynamic, asymmetrical compositions.

Biomorphic should be distinguished from biomimicry, which describes the replication of natural processes and systems for functional purposes, whereas biomorphic focuses on appearance and form rather than function.

In contemporary usage, biomorphic remains a descriptive term in art, design, and architecture for shapes and compositions that evoke life, growth, and organic structure, often conveying vitality and movement.