Contemporary More Art
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.
2010s Contemporary More Art
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Paper
2010s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Cotton, Thread
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Digital, Lucite, Pigment
2010s Contemporary More Art
Paper, Pastel, Gouache
2010s Contemporary More Art
Paper, Pastel, Gouache
2010s Contemporary More Art
Paper, Pastel, Gouache
2010s Contemporary More Art
Acrylic
1970s Contemporary More Art
Screen
2010s Contemporary More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
1950s Contemporary More Art
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
2010s Contemporary More Art
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
2010s Contemporary More Art
Cotton, Thread, Sailcloth
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
1960s Contemporary More Art
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
2010s Contemporary More Art
Textile, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Giclée
2010s Contemporary More Art
Oil
Early 2000s Contemporary More Art
Ceramic, Leather
2010s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Pastel, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Pastel, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Red, juicy cherries rest in a glass bowl, showcasing their plumpness and vibrant summer hues. The light illuminates their glossy skin, while shadows add depth...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Oil
Early 2000s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary More Art
Ink, Intaglio, Monotype
2010s Contemporary More Art
Steel
2010s Contemporary More Art
Fabric, Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Thread, Paper
2010s Contemporary More Art
Ceramic, Clay, Glaze
2010s Contemporary More Art
Paper, Gouache
2010s Contemporary More Art
Thread, Organic Material, Archival Paper
Artist Comments
Using thick brushstrokes and dripping paint, artist Alana Clumeck rendered this white stallion in a powerful and intuitive pose. ...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Oil
2010s Contemporary More Art
Printer's Ink, Archival Ink, Rag Paper, Monoprint, Other Medium
Early 2000s Contemporary More Art
Paper, C Print
2010s Contemporary More Art
Fabric, Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Photographic Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Textile, Synthetic, Yarn, Found Objects
Artist Comments
A knife rests on a checkered tablecloth next to two flowers, with slices of cantaloupe nearby, forming a simple, rustic still life. The bright blue chair prov...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Encaustic
Artist Comments
"This painting was inspired by the idea that we are shaped by outside forces, but remain unchanged, we persist in the face of adversity," says Shao. "It is what makes us human." Shao's energetic paintings of stallions explore and illustrate movement through nature. This work represents an immigrant's journey, filled with strength and perseverance. Shao incorporates both contemporary watercolor and traditional ink calligraphy styles into this series of oil paintings.
About the Artist
Art has been with Shao Yuan Zhang for the majority of his extraordinary, and at times difficult, life journey. Raised in communist China...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Archival Pigment
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Ceramic, Wood, Paint
2010s Contemporary More Art
Cotton, Thread, Sailcloth
Artist Comments
A cougar gazes upward, its intense eyes locked on a radiant shower of gold. Rich, earthy tones blend seamlessly in the background, highlighting the features o...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Oil
2010s Contemporary More Art
Cotton, Thread, Sailcloth
2010s Contemporary More Art
Organic Material
2010s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
A bunch of red grapes illuminates from within, resembling tiny light bulbs. The artwork portrays their classic shape and translucency with white and purple sp...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Oil
2010s Contemporary More Art
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Giclée
2010s Contemporary More Art
Masonite, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Cotton, Thread
2010s Contemporary More Art
Marble
2010s Contemporary More Art
Film, Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary More Art
Ceramic, Clay, Glaze
2010s Contemporary More Art
Printer's Ink, Rag Paper, Monoprint, Other Medium, Archival Ink
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Paper
Early 2000s Contemporary More Art
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Graphite, Tea
2010s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Thread, Found Objects, Inkjet
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Archival Pigment
Artist Comments
A faceless woman sits confidently in a classic wingback chair. Her bright red top and crimson skirt contrast with the surrounding yellows. Simplified shapes a...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Art
Encaustic