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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
Period: 1960s
DESSIN
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Hiquily's original drawings from the early 1960s, housed in a private collection, are a distinctive showcase of the provocative Hiquilian style that defined this era. These ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

DESSIN
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Hiquily's original drawings from the early 1960s, housed in a private collection, are a distinctive showcase of the provocative Hiquilian style that defined this era. These ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

DESSIN
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Hiquily's original drawings from the early 1960s, housed in a private collection, are a distinctive showcase of the provocative Hiquilian style that defined this era. These ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

DESSIN
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Hiquily's original drawings from the early 1960s, housed in a private collection, are a distinctive showcase of the provocative Hiquilian style that defined this era. These ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Untitled
Located in New York, NY
Watercolor on wove paper. Signed and dated in ink, lower right recto.
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Disegno a Biro di Mario Tozzi Figura in Riposo 1969
Located in Milan, IT
Biro su carta. Firmato in basso a destra. Corredato di autentica su foto dell' Archivio Mario Tozzi. Nell'ampia produzione del maestro Tozzi si trovano molti disegni, come questo qu...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pen

A Poet - Drawing by Carlo Cego - 1966
Located in Roma, IT
A poet is a contemporary artwork realized by Carlo Cego in 1966. Miched colored pencil and watercolor drawing on paper. Includes frame: 52 x 2.5 x 72 cm Hand signed and titled on ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

Letter of Greetings with Original Drawings - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
A nice, creative letter by the french poet and dancer Boris Kochno to Countess Pecci-Blunt. This composition was realized as letter of greetings for New Y...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Sketch - Original Drawing by Leo Guida - 1963
Located in Roma, IT
Sketch is an original artwork realized in 1963 by the italian Contemporary artist Leo Guida (1992 - 2017). Original china ink, watercolor and pencil drawing on ivory-colored paper,...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Pencil

Figures - Pen Drawing by Danilo Bergamo - 1962
Located in Roma, IT
Figures is an original drawing in blue ballpoint pen on ivory paper realized by Danilo Bergamo in 1962. Not signed. Good conditions...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ballpoint Pen

Composition - Original Pencil and Watercolor by Aldo Turchiaro - 1968
Located in Roma, IT
Composition is an original drawing in watercolor on paper by Aldo Turchiaro in 1968s. Hand-signed on the lower right. Good conditions. The artwork represents an abstract compositi...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

The Balance - Original Watercolor by Danilo Bergamo - 1964
Located in Roma, IT
The Balance is an original Contemporary artwork realized by Danilo Bergamo (b.1938) in 1964. Original watercolor con paper. Hand-signed on the right margin by the artist in red pen...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Geometric Composition - Watercolor on Paper by J.-R. Delpech - 1967
Located in Roma, IT
"Abstract Composition" is an original drawing in pencil and watercolor on paper, realized by Jean Delpech (1916-1988). The state of preservation of the artwork is very good. Sheet ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Figure - Original Drawing by Sergio Barletta - 1968
Located in Roma, IT
Figure is an original drawing in mixed media, pencil, ink and tempera on cardboard, realized by Sergio Barletta in 1968 ca. Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. In good condit...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Mixed Media

Boats - Mixed Media by J.-R. Delpech - 1965
Located in Roma, IT
"Boats" is an original drawing in mixed media on paper, realized in 1965 by Jean Delpech (1988-1916). Hand-signed and dated on the lower right. The state of preservation of the art...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Ink, Tempera

Surrealist Composition - Watercolor on Paper by J.-R. Delpech - 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
"Surrealist Composition" is an original drawing in mixed media on paper, realized by Jean Delpech (1916-1988). The state of preservation of the artwork is very good. Sheet dimensio...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

'Family Outing' original watercolor signed by Joseph Rozman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
The present watercolor is an excellent example of Joseph Rosman's early style, presenting contemporary American life though a child-like, abstracted lens. In the image, a man, woman ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Surrealist Texas Oil Rig, " Original Watercolor & Ink signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Surrealist Texas Oil Rig" is an original, double-sided watercolor and ink piece by David Barnett, signed and dated in the lower right. It is framed with a w...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Pencil

Watercolor Landscape View of a Lake
Located in Houston, TX
Watercolor painting of a landscape with a lake and trees in the background. Mainly blue and fall colored tones. Signed and dated by the artist in the bottom left corner of painting. Artist Biography: William Zaner also known as Bill Zaner...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Flying, " Original Surreal Ink Drawing signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Flying" is an original ink drawing by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. This strange, surreal image centers around a figure that appears to have leaped from the broke...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

"Dream Window, " Original Abstract Color-field Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Dream Window" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. The picture plane is divided into four sections like a window pane, and each sec...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Painted Sky, " Original Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Painted Sky" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in pencil in the lower left. This abstract painting is composed of light brushstrokes in an array of colors, evenly distributed throughout. Art size: 11" x 8" Frame size: 18" x 14" DAVID J. BARNETT David Barnett, an artist, collector, appraiser and gallerist has been passionate about art from the early age of five. David’s career as an art dealer began at age nineteen when, as a fine arts student, he sponsored an exhibition of work by fellow student artists. In 1966, he opened his first gallery in a converted basement apartment at Wisconsin Avenue and 21st Street. In 1985 David moved his gallery from Wisconsin Avenue into the Old Button Mansion on State Street and has been active ever since. David’s talents for recognizing undervalued artists and for meeting the needs of art lovers, art collectors and artists have created a vibrant, flourishing gallery and collection of over 6,000 works of art. David was born and raised in Wisconsin. He has been painting in watercolors, acrylics, oil pastels as well as fine art photography. David has more than 10 different series he has developed over the years. They include Abstract, Surrealism, Morph Dog, Up North Birch Bark, Impressions of Mexico City, Southwest, Fireworks, Famous Artist Paying Homage and Garden Panorama. Influential artists include Vermeer, Miro, Kandinsky, Chagall, Nolde and Klee. David has been featured in many magazines, newspapers and public television programs regarding his beautiful gallery, collection and knowledge and passion of fine art. David also has work in the permanent collection Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arizona. In November 2005, he opened his second studio gallery in Hartland, Wisconsin. Exhibits “Morph Dog Series”, David Barnett Gallery, 1996 “Renewal", Art Escape Gallery, Thiensville, WI, 2003 “Recent Watercolors", David Barnett Gallery, 2003, Lora D. Art Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2004 “Group Show”, Broden Gallery Ltd., Madison, WI, May-June 2004 "Homage to Kandinsky", David Barnett Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2014 Collections Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale, AZ Private collections throughout the United States and around the world including collections in Wisconsin, Maryland, New York, Washington D.C., Arizona, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky. International collections in Brazil, Singapore and Hong Kong. Articles Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Barnett Gives His Work an Exhibit" by James Auer, November 1996 Exclusively Yours...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Turtle, " Original Surreal Pen and Ink Drawing signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Turtles" is an original ink drawing by David Barnett, signed in the lower right. This surreal image centers around a turtle with an enlarged head standing on some sort of ledge, spe...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

"Line Study #2, " Original Abstract Etching signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Line Study #2" is an original limited edition etching by David Barnett signed in the lower right corner. The title and edition number are in the lower left...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Etching

"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

"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

"Shooting Star, " Original Abstract Surreal Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Shooting Star" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed and dated in the lower left. This surreal, abstract painting features gestural strokes of undiluted blue p...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Homage to Cezanne: Landscape with Shooting Star, " Watercolor by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Homage to Cezanne: Landscape with Shooting Star" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. The image is...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Cartoon for Stained Glass, " Original Framed Felt Pen signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Cartoon for Stained Glass" is an original drawing in felt-tipped pen on paper by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. The image...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Felt Pen

"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

"Lake Michigan Shore, " Original Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Lake Michigan Shore" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower center. The image is abstract, horizon suggested by the thick blue line near the top of...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

"Landscape with Bridge, " Original Abstract Watercolor signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Landscape with Bridge" is an original watercolor painting by David Barnett, signed in the lower left corner. The image is abstract, playful lines of color giving the barest suggesti...
Category

1960s 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

Interiors
Located in Roma, IT
This is an original drawing realized by Cesare Peverelli in 1965. Hand signed and dated at the bottom. Very good conditions. Peverelli created this pastel artwork...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pastel

"Underground Movies, " a Multicolored Watercolor & Ink Artwork by Joseph Rozman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Abstract, psychedelic, multicolored watercolor and ink on paper, 1968. 12" x 15 1/2" art 20 1/2" x 23 3/8" framed Joseph Rozman was born on December 26, 1944 in Milwaukee, WI. His...
Category

1960s Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

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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