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Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

CONTEMPORARY STYLE

Used to refer to a time rather than an aesthetic, Contemporary art generally describes pieces created after 1970 or being made by living artists anywhere in the world. This immediacy means it encompasses art responding to the present moment through diverse subjects, media and themes. Contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, performance, digital art, video and more frequently includes work that is attempting to reshape current ideas about what art can be, from Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s use of candy to memorialize a lover he lost to AIDS-related complications to Jenny Holzer’s ongoing “Truisms,” a Conceptual series that sees provocative messages printed on billboards, T-shirts, benches and other public places that exist outside of formal exhibitions and the conventional “white cube” of galleries.

Contemporary art has been pushing the boundaries of creative expression for years. Its disruption of the traditional concepts of art are often aiming to engage viewers in complex questions about identity, society and culture. In the latter part of the 20th century, contemporary movements included Land art, in which artists like Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer create large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations and other works in soil and bodies of water; Sound art, with artists such as Christian Marclay and Susan Philipsz centering art on sonic experiences; and New Media art, in which mass media and digital culture inform the work of artists such as Nam June Paik and Rafaël Rozendaal.

The first decades of the 21st century have seen the growth of Contemporary African art, the revival of figurative painting, the emergence of street art and the rise of NFTs, unique digital artworks that are powered by blockchain technology.

Major Contemporary artists practicing now include Ai Weiwei, Cecily Brown, David Hockney, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Kara Walker.

Find a collection of Contemporary prints, photography, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Contemporary
"Caribbean Cruise Pool, " Original Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Carribean Cruise Pool" is an original watercolor painting on paper by David Barnett, signed in the lower left. The painting is abstract and brightly colored, featuring deep blues, b...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Four Kisses on a Passionate Sea, " Original Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Four Kisses on a Passionate Sea" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower right color. An abstract image, it features horizontal streaks of vivid col...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Constellation with Blue Cloud, " Original Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Constellation with Blue Cloud" is an original watercolor painting on paper by David Barnett, signed and dated in the lower left. The piece is abstract; a large blue ring...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

C2, Keep Off
Located in Fairfield, CT
watercolor
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Baghdad Rain, " Oil Pastel on Illustration Board signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Baghdad Rain" is an original oil pastel drawing on illustration board by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on the back. It depicts some abstracted figures in a dream-like...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Illustration Board

"Beaver Lake Sunset Nov. 11, 1996, " Original Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Beaver Lake Sunset Nov. 11, 1996" is an original watercolor painting on antique J. Whatman Paper by David Barnett, signed in pencil in the lower right corner. The sunset is rendered...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Impressions of Mexico City: Chicklets, Anyone?" Watercolor by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Impressions of Mexico City Series: Chicklets, Anyone?" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower left corner. It features bright colors and surreal ju...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

White Love - Original Digital Photograph and Drawing on Plastic - 2016
Located in Roma, IT
White Love is an original artwork realized by the Italian contemporary artwork Nicolantonio Mucciaccia in 2016. Mixed media (drawing and digital photo) on plastic mirrored support. A...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

"Beaver Lake Sunrise IV, " Original Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Beaver Lake Sunrise IV" is an original watercolor painting on paper by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. This abstract piece features brig...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

P12, They are all at the bottom of it...
Located in Fairfield, CT
oil pastel on paper
Category

1970s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Paper

What is an Alien? - Original Digital Photograph and Drawing on Plastic - 2011
Located in Roma, IT
What is an Alien? is an original artwork realized by the Italian contemporary artist Nicolantonio Mucciaccia in 2011. Mixed media on plastic and rubber. Frame included. Perfect condi...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

"Beaver Lake Spring Fever Sunrise, " Original Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Beaver Lake Spring Fever Sunrise" is an original watercolor on paper by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner in pencil. This abstract, minimal landscape represents the su...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Native American Southwest Series: Purple Rain Love the Earth, " David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Native American Southwest Series: Purple Rain Love the Earth" is an original mixed media piece by David Barnett that incorporates watercolor...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor

Dimore - 1970s - Giuseppe Uncini - Collage - Contemporary
Located in Roma, IT
Original collage on paper by the italian artist Giuseppe Uncini, in excellent conditions and authenticated by the Archivio Opera Giuseppe Uncini in 2014.
Category

1970s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper

Siren's Song 7
Located in New York, NY
Watercolor and gouache on paper Signed, titled, and dated in pencil, verso This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Willy Bo Richardson received an MFA in pai...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Old Filling Station - contemporary cityscape architecture watercolor framed
Located in London, GB
Award winning artist David Walker works in both oil paints and watercolours. Before concentrating on illustration and fine art painting David trained and practiced as an architect. A...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Morph Dog Series: Kachina, " Original Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Morph Dog Series: Kachina," is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed along the lower center edge. This image depicts a Kachina, an ancestral spirit in Pueblo reli...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Siren's Song 6
Located in New York, NY
Watercolor and gouache on paper Signed, titled, and dated in pencil, verso This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Willy Bo Richardson received an MFA in pai...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

"It Grew From Three, " Original Abstract Mixed Media Collage signed by Dan Muller
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"It Grew From Three" is an original mixed media watercolor painting by Dan Muller. The artist signed the piece lower right. This artwork features abstract shapes in the primary color...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor

Infinitely Divisible Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Ideal Paste
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Rugged Motto Offspring
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Wily Reptilian Catchword
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Ephemeral Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Poisonous Motto Maternity
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

"Untitled, " Abstract Oil Pastel on Ragboard signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Untitled" is an original oil pastel drawing on ragboard by Reginald K. Gee. It features surreal drawings on a background of color fields in blue, green, purple, red, and yellow. The...
Category

1980s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Board, Rag Paper

"The Fish Tank, " Abstract Mixed Media on Paper signed by Dan Muller
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Fish Tank" is an original mixed media on paper by Dan Muller. The artist signed the piece lower right. This artwork features abstract shapes and marks in the primary colors. The...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Mixed Media

"Whale in a Sea of Symbols, " Drawing on Handmade Paper by Miguel Castro Leñero
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Whale in a Sea of Symbols" is an original ink and charcoal on handmade amate paper by Miguel Castro Leñero. The artist initialed the piece lower right. This piece features an abstra...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal, Ink, Handmade Paper

Untitled III
Located in New Orleans, LA
ANASTASIA PELIAS was born in New Orleans, LA to Greek parents. Her artistic practice is rooted in the dual cultural identity of both her native and ancestral roots in New Orleans, LA...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Oil Crayon

"Phizo, " Abstract Portrait Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Phizo" is an original oil pastel drawing on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on the back. It features an abstracted portrait with expressionistic marks ...
Category

1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Found Objects

Conflictive Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Muddy Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Elegantly Enslaving Legendary Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Armored Slogan
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Elegantly Enslaving Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Dangerous Motto
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Swollen short motto
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Fallen Ideals
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

100% Eco-Friendly Disposable Ideals
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Cheap and Dirty Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Exhausted Motto
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Scorched Motto
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Peelable Ideals
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Ideal in Formaldehyde
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Ground Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Entangled Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Almost Invisible Motto
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Three mottoes derived from the same distant Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Infinite Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Martyred Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Scaly Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Murderous Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Prefab Versatile Motto Strip Fragment
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Extremely Long Motto
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Lascivious Ideals
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Autoimmune Slogan
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Contradictory Motto
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Multiple Motto Coupon /Ticket Roll
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Contemporary abstract drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Contemporary abstract drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add abstract drawings and watercolors created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, purple, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including David Barnett, Renato Garza Cervera, Michael Alan, and Reginald K. Gee. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Contemporary abstract drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 2.96 inches across are also available. Prices for abstract drawings and watercolors made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $60 and tops out at $190,000, while the average work sells for $1,402.

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