Contemporary Paintings
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 Paintings
Jute, Resin, Acrylic, Fiberboard
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Watercolor, Charcoal, Pencil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Linen, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Panel
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Textile
Artist Comments
"This horse was just one in the midst of a crowd at the Santa Fe rodeo - a group that was waiting in the pens behind the action," shares artist Heather Foster...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Cardboard
1970s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Canvas
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Archival Paper
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Panel
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Inspired by a photograph, artist Hadley Northrop beautifully captures the enduring charm of a little street that remains unchanged over the years. "There is something irresistible about lit-up windows at night," shares Hadley. Set against the cobalt blue sky, the lights ranging from cream to persimmon cast a warm and inviting glow to the scene. "I used to live in England and loved the ordinary old buildings."
About the Artist
Hadley’s subject matter is inspired by her San Francisco surroundings, particularly the city at night. Her glowing depictions of light sources are reminiscent of a blurred photograph or a bleary-eyed nighttime stroll. Hadley developed her love for art from her mother, a watercolorist, and continued to pursue her artistic career at a collegiate level and beyond. She now works out of a small studio in San Francisco’s Mission District. Hadley goes into her studio seven days a week with her Boston terrier puppy.
Words that describe this painting: London, Hoxton, doors, windows, evening, night, nocturne, England, Britain, lights, twilight, roof, building, architecture, oilpaint, facade, small, modern, travel, city, architecture, travel, modern , oil painting, brown
Little London Street...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, India Ink, Panel, Pigment
1980s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Panel
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
1970s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Tissue Paper, Wood Panel
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Epoxy Resin, Wood, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Pastel
Artist Comments
Created during the chilly winter, this piece is a celebration of warmth and light. Bathed in the hot spotlight, this dancer shimmies around the stage and help...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil
Early 2000s Contemporary Paintings
Mixed Media, Handmade Paper
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
In this black and white portrait, artist Mark Cudd captures the quiet intensity of a suited man, his gaze fixed directly on the viewer. Referenced from a vintag...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Permanent Marker
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Pastel, Gouache
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
![[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Christopher Posing with Leather Jacket](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/mark-beard-paintings-bruce-sargeant-1898-1938-christopher-posing-with-leather-jacket-for-sale/a_9323/1619022019064/Beard_Bruce_Sargeant_1898_1938_Christopher_Posing_in_Leather_Jacket_in_White_Jockstrap_1200_master.jpg?width=240 "bruce sargent")
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Pastel, Gouache
Contemporary paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
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