Contemporary Mixed Media
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.
Artist Comments
Artist Yelitza Diaz presents a nude figure hanging from a wooden module. Part of her Climbers series depicting people ascending geometric wooden cutouts. Yelitza offers the piece with neutral colors and virgin wood for a minimalistic effect. Inspired by the moon, the carved circle overlaps with the base that interacts with each component.
About the Artist
Born in Venezuela, Yelitza Diaz;s life has been wrapped in the arts since childhood. She founded a gallery with her husband, who is also an artist, and was successful for many years until the crime and corruption in the local government became unbearable. They now live in South Carolina, where she makes art that explores human existentialism and the political and social developments of her native country. Her sculptures are made with ceramic techniques using a minimalist contemporary style. Fun fact: Yelitza designed the town seal for her native Municipio Falc;n in Venezuela.
Words that describe this painting: figurative, wall...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media, Board, Watercolor
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Tape, Acrylic, Archival Paper
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Crayon, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Fabric, Dye, Canvas, Thread
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Plexiglass, C Print
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Plexiglass, Paper, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Metal
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Fabric, Plexiglass, Paper, Dye, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Glue, Mixed Media, Cardboard, Magazine Paper
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Paper, Mixed Media, Pen, Graphite
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Metal, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Etching, Aquatint
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Charcoal, Pastel
Artist Comments
Artist Yelitza Diaz displays a figure painted to look like bronze as the pivotal element. She creates a patterned background, drawn by hand and shaded to proj...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Ceramic
Artist Comments
Artist Yelitza Diaz presents a wall-bound sculpture with a rustic texture painted in shades of gray. Each of the four circles symbolizes the eternal and full-...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
The man and woman, accompanied by the multiple distinct images in this composition, convey a narrative of elusive love. Where does one find it? Do people seek...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Bronze
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Plexiglass, Paper, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Plexiglass, Paper, Dye, Ink, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Plexiglass, Paper, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Black and white rose petals unfurl amid splashes of gold in this acrylic and oil painting. Each stroke captures emotion, holding moments in the eternal beauty...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
Artist Darlene McElroy displays a contemporary portrait of a woman with her hair flowing in the wind. Bold patterns in vibrant colors establish her dynamic silhouette. "The winds of life moved her to new places and new experiences full of secrets," reveals Darlene. The unconventional materials create a sculptural and dimensional aspect.
About the Artist
Darlene McElroy sees creating art as similar to reading Turkish coffee grounds. A story becomes revealed as one looks at the surface, texture and color. Her works use a variety of materials ranging from acrylic paints to photo transfers and collage. She currently lives in New Mexico and has been greatly influenced by the work of Robert Rauschenberg. She encourages viewers to search for their narrative interpretation when viewing a work.
Words that describe this painting: woman, feminine, figurative, stylized, narrative, storytelling, flower, wind, face, eyes, portrait, mixed media, contemporary, small, profile, people, contemporary, mixed media artwork, beige
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Darlene McElroy
Acrylic paint and collage on masonite...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Tape, Acrylic, Wood Panel
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Glass, Film, Polymer
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Acrylic, Board
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Epoxy Resin, Oil, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Acrylic, Board
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Plywood, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Organic Material, Mixed Media, Encaustic, Wood Panel
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Metal, Copper
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Tape, Acrylic, Archival Paper
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Gold Leaf
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Charcoal, Mixed Media, Gouache, Pastel
Artist Comments
Artist Yelitza Diaz exhibits a man climbing a carved wooden structure painted in green. She creates the nude form with resin and paints its body bronze for a ...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
Artist Darlene McElroy demonstrates a portrait of a woman in elegant royal garments. "When you finally become comfortable in your own skin and feel complete, you have earned your wings," says Darlene. "There are no longer self-imposed restrictions on yourself." Darlene employs various materials to create dimension, texture, and multiple finishes for an engaging portrait.
About the Artist
Darlene McElroy sees creating art as similar to reading Turkish coffee grounds. A story becomes revealed as one looks at the surface, texture and color. Her works use a variety of materials ranging from acrylic paints to photo transfers and collage. She currently lives in New Mexico and has been greatly influenced by the work of Robert Rauschenberg. She encourages viewers to search for their narrative interpretation when viewing a work.
Words that describe this painting: woman, portrait, feminine, people, text, mixed media...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Ink, Archival Paper, Pencil
Artist Comments
Part of artist Yelena Sidorova's Street View series. This piece features predominantly vibrant red roofings covering most of the city's structures. "Prague is...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Tapestry
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Ink, Archival Paper, Pencil
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Paper, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Thread, Organic Material, Archival Paper
1980s Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Newsprint, Canvas
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Digital
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Archival Paper
Artist Comments
Artist Yelitza Diaz shows a bronze-colored figure balancing itself on a round structure attached to a solid blue background. Inspired by minimalism, she considers the possibility of contradicting the style by including something more in the discourse—in this case, the human being as a universal man...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Ink, Archival Paper, Pencil
Artist Comments
Artist Yelitza Diaz displays a bronze-painted figure balancing itself on a round structure attached to a bold red background. Inspired once again by minimalism, she considers the possibility of contradicting the style by including something more in the discourse—in this case, the human being as a universal man...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Early 2000s Contemporary Mixed Media
Paper, LED Light, Mixed Media





