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
Offsprings
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
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
The Air We Breathe 2, Suite of 5
Located in New York, NY
Suite of 5 drawings
Charcoal and Getty Fire Ash on paper, 24 x 18 in. (each)
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Charcoal
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
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
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
Old 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
Frankenmotto
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
Archaic 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
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
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
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
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
Magnetizing Seduction, Homage to Chogyam Trungpa Tulku IX
Located in Vancouver, CA
Mulvihill creates mesmerizing mandalas using Chinese characters written in all directions. His unique "Calligraffiti" technique, a blend of ancient script and Brion Gysin-inspired cu...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Handmade Paper, Pigment
$1,960 Sale Price
30% Off
Gemmation of a Banner
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
Fresh 100% Organic Gluten Free 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
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Wind Algorithm 2
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Colleen Wolstenholme’s interest in the brain has flowed from her longstanding practice of making meticulous impressions of pharmaceutical drugs, such as Xanax, Prozac and Adderal, cr...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Archival Paper
Unbalanced 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
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
Cannibal Constrictor Banner with prey
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
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Wind Algorithm 4
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Colleen Wolstenholme’s interest in the brain has flowed from her longstanding practice of making meticulous impressions of pharmaceutical drugs, such as Xanax, Prozac and Adderal, cr...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Archival Paper
"Floral Fantasy, " Original Impressionistic Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Floral Fantasy" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett that is signed in the lower right. Abstract flowers fill the picture plane in bright bursts of red and yellow aga...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Human Tides (Conflicts II) #14
Located in Montreal, Quebec
When does a line on a page become figurative? The series of drawings by Mexican artist Renato Garza Cervera entitled Mareas Humanas (Conflictos II) / Human Tides (Conflicts II) satis...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
India Ink, Archival Paper
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
"Morph Dog Ranch Retreat, " Original Earth-toned Watercolor by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Morph Dog Range Retreat" is an original watercolor by David Barnett, signed in the lower right. The painting features dark earth tones and washes of brown and dark blue. The titular...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Black Beans & Brains II, " Original Colorful Surrealist signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Black Beans & Brains II" is a surreal mixed media painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower right. The image is abstract, cut in half by a thick, curving blue line. Behind it, ...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Archival Ink, Mixed Media, Watercolor
"Beaver Lake Sunrise II, " Original Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Beaver Lake Sunrise II" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower left. It depicts a sunset over a body of water in the ab...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Cherries, Persimmons, & Pears, " Original Ink Drawing signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Cherries, Persimmons, & Pears" is an original ink drawing by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. The fruits pictured are abstracted to their most basic forms. They are ...
Category
1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink
"Radiator Trouble - Artist Convergence-, " Original Watercolor by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Impressions of Mexico City Series: Radiator Trouble -Artist Convergence-" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower right. Playful and gestural, the M...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Morph Dog Series: Kite Fly-in III, " Original Watercolor signed
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Morph Dog Series: Kite Fly-In III" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed along the lower center. This piece is the Milwaukee-area native artist's satire on the...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Hot Irons & Chili Peppers" Original Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Hot Irons & Chili Peppers" is an original watercolor by David Barnett, signed in the lower right. The composition flows from right to left, following the purple-grey curve behind th...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Morph Dog Series: Artist's Mask with Fireworks, " Watercolor by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Morph Dog Series: Artist's Mask with Fireworks" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower center. It features bright colors and repeating shapes in ar...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"What, Water, Color, Sky, " Surreal Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Whale, Water, Color, Sky" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed and dated in the lower right. This surreal, abstract work is composed of expressive brush strok...
Category
1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Surrealist Sea, " Original Watercolor on Paper signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Surrealist Sea" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed and dated in the lower right. This work is a burst of colors with soft blac...
Category
1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Morph Dogs & Pink Chick, " Original Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Morph Dogs & Pink Chick" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. It is an abstract piece, painted partially using a sculptural foam ob...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Morph Dog Meets Sand Crab- Tete-a-Tete, " Original Watercolor by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Morph Dog Meets Sand Crab-Tête-à-Tête" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. This minimalist, abstract image features a dog and crab...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Morph Dog Series: Wind Over Taos Mountains, " Watercolor signed
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Morph Dog Series: Wind Over Taos Mountains" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower right. Parts of the image were pain...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"Escape to Mexico City, " Watercolor and Ink signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Escape to Mexico City" is an original watercolor and ink drawing by David Barnett. The artist signed the piece lower left. This piece features stamps of cows, footprints, and the st...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
"Impressions of Pinnacle Peak AZ-Looking West from the Miller's House"
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Impressions of Pinnacle Peak, AZ - Looking West from the Mille's House" is an original watercolor by David Barnett. The artist signed the piece lower ri...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
"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
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
"Baf, " Abstract Geometric Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Baf" is an original oil pastel drawing on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on the back. It features abstract, geometric planes in pastel and earthy colo...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Pastel, Found Objects
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
"Untitled, " Abstract Oil Pastel on Illustration Board by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Untitled" is an original oil pastel drawing on illustration board by Reginald K. Gee. This piece features abstract marks in blue, black, green, and yellow.
40" x 30" art
Custom fr...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Pastel, Illustration Board
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Untitled from the series Shifty Packets
Located in Montreal, Quebec
What happens when the digital and analog duke it out? Who would win in this match: the printing press versus a high-speed internet connection? Or do we have to choose? What happens w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
"Some More of Those Toothbrushes - Part 2, " Abstract Oil Pastel by Reggie K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Some More of Those Toothbrushes - Part 2" is an original oil pastel drawing by Reginald K. Gee. The artist created this piece with gestural, abstract marks in yellow, blue, red, gre...
Category
1980s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Pastel, Illustration Board
"Jittip, " Abstract Oil Pastel on a Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Jittip" is an original oil pastel drawing on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on the back. It features abstract, expressionist marks in blue, red, orang...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Pastel, Found Objects
"Toonis, " Abstract Pastel Drawing on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Toonis" is an original pastel drawing on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on verso. It features abstract marks in pinks, purp...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Found Objects
"Destruction of the Apple Juice Pool, " Oil Pastel signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Destruction of the Apple Juice Pool" is an original oil pastel drawing on illustration board by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece upper right. It features abstract marks ...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Oil Pastel, Illustration Board
"Fortify, " Abstract Oil Pastel on Paper by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Fortify" is an roiginal oil pastel drawing on paper by Reginald K. Gee. The artist initialed the piece on the back. It depicts abstract marks, a telephone, and a few figures in blue...
Category
1990s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Oil Pastel
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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