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Contemporary Art

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
Lovers -  Photolithograph by E. Greco - 1970s
Lovers -  Photolithograph by E. Greco - 1970s

Lovers - Photolithograph by E. Greco - 1970s

By Emilio Greco

Located in Roma, IT

Lovers is a modern artwork realized by Emilio Greco in 1970s. Black and white photolithograph. Hand signed and numbered on the lower margin. Edition of 31/50. Includes frame: 60 ...

Category

1970s Contemporary Art

Materials

Lithograph

'65 Love Affair

'65 Love Affair

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Acrylic and graphite on cradled wood panel

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Graphite

In the Afternoon Sun - original female nude by Paula Craioveanu inspired Matisse
In the Afternoon Sun - original female nude by Paula Craioveanu inspired Matisse

In the Afternoon Sun - original female nude by Paula Craioveanu inspired Matisse

By Paula Craioveanu

Located in Forest Hills, NY

Nude in the Afternoon Sun, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube. Free shipping for item over $ 500 with 1stDibs code FREESHIP. In mat and framed as they were in the February exhibition, for display purposes. "In the Afternoon Sun" is an evocative and skillful piece that captures the interplay between light, shadow, and the human form with remarkable sensitivity. The artist’s use of ultramarine tempera on ochre paper transforms a simple moment—sunlight filtering through a window—into an artwork filled with vitality, sensuality, and rhythm. The subject's upward-reaching gesture, with one arm stretched behind her head, creates an elegant, sinuous line that imbues the piece with energy and a sense of motion. Her relaxed expression contrasts with the dynamism of her pose, creating a balance between activity and repose. The figure’s directness, combined with the slight tilt of her head and the open nature of the pose, draws the viewer in, making her seem both vulnerable and self-assured. The intimacy of the moment is heightened by the interplay of light and shadow. The striped patterns of light and shadow play a leading role, emphasizing the contours and textures of the body. These light effects are not only realistic but also deeply expressive, almost creating an abstract overlay that adds rhythm to the composition. The stripes of sunlight create a sense of dimensionality, as if the viewer is peering into a real scene. The interplay of warm ochre and vibrant ultramarine enhances this layered effect, making the shadows feel alive. The artist’s loose, fluid lines lend the piece a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, suggesting that this is a fleeting, captured moment. The gestural strokes used to delineate the figure and the shadows allow the piece to feel natural and unrestrained. The figure is the undeniable focal point, with the bold ultramarine providing sharp contrast against the warm ochre. The background elements, though faintly suggested, remain unobtrusive, allowing the shadows on the body to take center stage. The work’s focus on sunlight playing across the nude figure evokes a sense of warmth, intimacy, and sensuality. There is a tactile quality to the shadows, as if the viewer can feel the heat of the afternoon sun. The relaxed pose, combined with the tranquil mood of the sunlight, suggests a private moment of reflection or contentment. The piece feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. The emphasis on light and its interaction with the human form recalls the Impressionist movement, particularly the works of artists like Degas and Renoir. However, the gestural modernity of the brushwork gives this piece a contemporary flair. Throughout art history, the relationship between light and the human body has fascinated artists, from Caravaggio's dramatic chiaroscuro to Matisse’s lyrical nudes. This piece situates itself within that rich tradition while bringing a fresh and immediate perspective. "In the Afternoon Sun" is a masterful exploration of the interaction between light, shadow, and the human form, capturing both the physical and emotional warmth of a sunlit afternoon. The artist's ability to balance naturalistic detail with expressive abstraction makes this piece both visually stunning and deeply resonant. It’s a celebration of the human figure in its purest, most natural state—bathed in sunlight and alive with the rhythms of nature. Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through my studies. These scenes evolved, when I added the human figure. I focused more on the human figure and its relation to the background. The human figure is more present than ever in my paintings now. As a woman artist I’ve been preoccupied with the female form and its imagery. One of my goals was to capture the solitary moments and the nude’s relation to the surrounding space. My interest turned from depicting the space to rendering the atmosphere and the scene as a whole, the feeling a woman adds to the environment: warmth, desire, joy, a feeling of power and control, or the opposite – sadness, despair. Here is a collection of figurative paintings, exploring the nudes in interior spaces, seeing the nudes from my perspective, as a woman artist, considering the physical and spiritual realities of a woman’s body, in a new level of intimacy. My paintings are the opposite of objectifying a woman’s or a man’s anatomy. Painted works, featuring female nudes and a also men nudes...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Tempera

Eve Arnold - Malcolm X in Chicago, Photography 1962, Printed After

Eve Arnold - Malcolm X in Chicago, Photography 1962, Printed After

By Eve Arnold

Located in Stamford, CT

American Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X in Chicago, Illinois in 1962. All available sizes and editions: 24" x 20", Edition of 25 + 3 Artist Proofs 34" x 24", Ed...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Standing Cowboy
Standing Cowboy

Standing Cowboy

Located in New York, NY

Dylan Gordon is a photographer from the Central Coast of California. A childhood spent raising horses, surfing and skating inspired him to tell stories of the people and places he ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Eve Arnold - Bar girl in a brothel, Photography 1954, Printed After

Eve Arnold - Bar girl in a brothel, Photography 1954, Printed After

By Eve Arnold

Located in Stamford, CT

A model in Harlem, New York City in 1968. All available sizes and editions: 20" x 24", Edition of 25 + 3 Artist Proofs 24" x 34", Edition of 25 + 3 Artist Proofs "Eve Arnold, born ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Portrait of Adesuwa - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Women
Portrait of Adesuwa - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Women

Portrait of Adesuwa - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Women

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Pursuing dreams beyond borders is a journey fraught with complexities and challenges, yet it also offers profound opportunities for growth and transformation. "Finding Solace in Fore...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic

"Silicon Valley", Reinforced Plaster Sculpture, Altered Human Figure, Portrait
"Silicon Valley", Reinforced Plaster Sculpture, Altered Human Figure, Portrait

"Silicon Valley", Reinforced Plaster Sculpture, Altered Human Figure, Portrait

By Jedediah Morfit

Located in Philadelphia, PA

"Silicon Valley" is an original piece by Jedediah Morfit made from fiberglass, reinforced plaster, paint, and wood. This piece measures 20"h x 24.25"w x 2.75"d framed, and is shipped...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Fiberglass, Plaster, Wood, Paint

Hunt Slonem "Swallowtail" Butterflies
Hunt Slonem "Swallowtail" Butterflies

Hunt Slonem "Swallowtail" Butterflies

By Hunt Slonem

Located in Boston, MA

Artist: Slonem, Hunt Title: Swallowtail Date: 2019 Medium: Oil on wood Unframed Dimensions: 33" x 25" Framed Dimensions: 35" x 26.5" Signature: Signed by Artist on Verso Editi...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Oil

Foggy Morning at Seeschloss Ort, Lake Traunsee — Monochrome Fine Art Photograph
Foggy Morning at Seeschloss Ort, Lake Traunsee — Monochrome Fine Art Photograph

Foggy Morning at Seeschloss Ort, Lake Traunsee — Monochrome Fine Art Photograph

By Gerald Berghammer

Located in Vienna, Vienna

Archival pigment ink print, produced in a limited edition of 7 // Gallery ID: 21053 Fine art prints are produced to order on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta. Each print is stamped on the...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Digital Pigment

Clarence James "Neo Soul II"
Clarence James "Neo Soul II"

Clarence James "Neo Soul II"

By Clarence James

Located in Boston, MA

Artist: James, Clarence Title: Neo Soul II Date: 2025 Medium: Aerosol on Canvas Unframed Dimensions: 46.75" x 67" Signature: Signed Edition: Unique

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic

KAWS BFF Black (KAWS BFF Companion)
KAWS BFF Black (KAWS BFF Companion)

KAWS BFF Black (KAWS BFF Companion)

By KAWS

Located in London, GB

KAWS KAWS BFF Black (KAWS BFF Companion), 2017 Vinyl and cast resin sculpture
 Signature to feet Presented in original box, and accompanied by unique ho...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Resin

"Landlocked (Swim with the Fish)", Contemporary Landscape, Mixed Media Print
"Landlocked (Swim with the Fish)", Contemporary Landscape, Mixed Media Print

"Landlocked (Swim with the Fish)", Contemporary Landscape, Mixed Media Print

By Patty deGrandpre

Located in Franklin, MA

Patty deGrandpre’s “Landlocked (Swim with the Fish)” is a 11 x 16.5 inch unique mixed media print represented on Awagami Bamboo Japanese paper utilizing both printmaking and creative...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Ink, Mixed Media, Gouache, Bamboo Paper, Digital

[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Winter Sport Athletes

[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Winter Sport Athletes

By Mark Beard

Located in New York, NY

Signed in red, u.l. Oil on canvas mounted to Masonite Price includes $650 additional cost of framing. This work is offered by ClampArt in New York City

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Masonite, Oil

In The Sky (21/50) - Figurative Contemporary Blue Resin Wall Sculpture Artwork
In The Sky (21/50) - Figurative Contemporary Blue Resin Wall Sculpture Artwork

In The Sky (21/50) - Figurative Contemporary Blue Resin Wall Sculpture Artwork

By Nayla Saroufim

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Nayla Saroufim creates installations that challenge the traditional notion of the passive viewer. Nayla’s art is a rich mix of media. She was always captivated by the dialogue betwee...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Resin, Mixed Media

Toucan and Parrot Basket, yellow, cream, black, Tribal, Panama, Rainforest
Toucan and Parrot Basket, yellow, cream, black, Tribal, Panama, Rainforest

Toucan and Parrot Basket, yellow, cream, black, Tribal, Panama, Rainforest

Located in Santa Fe, NM

Toucan and Parrot Basket, yellow, cream, black, Tribal, Panama, Rainforest The baskets are made by the Wounaan and Embera Indians from the Darien Rainforest in Panama. The Wounaan believe they emerged from the palm tree. They weave baskets from palm fiber and use natural dyes. The dyes are made from wood, plants, and earth. Achieving a particular color takes weeks. The rainforest baskets are of the highest quality to be found anywhere in the world. Comparable to the North American Pomo and Panamint baskets, widely considered the best weavers in the world. The Wounaan and Embera are the finest weavers working today. The area in which they live is extremely remote and dangerous to reach. From Panama City...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Organic Material

Boxers - Lithograph by Giuseppe Gallo - 2008

Boxers - Lithograph by Giuseppe Gallo - 2008

By Giuseppe Gallo

Located in Roma, IT

Boxers is an original lithograph on paper realized by the artist Giuseppe Gallo in 2008. Edition 59/260, it is part of the suite "Olympic Games Beijing 2008". Excellent condition. ...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Omoplata 254 in Bubblegum", Hand-Folded Paper, Abstract Patterns
"Omoplata 254 in Bubblegum", Hand-Folded Paper, Abstract Patterns

"Omoplata 254 in Bubblegum", Hand-Folded Paper, Abstract Patterns

By Matt Shlian

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This piece titled "Omoplata 254 in Bubblegum" is an original piece by Matt Shlian and is made from hand-folded archival paper. This piece measures 25.5”h x 22.5”w unframed. As a pap...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper

Companion (abstract art, post graffiti, street art, Neo-expressionism)

Companion (abstract art, post graffiti, street art, Neo-expressionism)

Located in Kansas City, MO

JB Nearsy Companion 2020 Mixed Media on paper Size: 41x37in Signed by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-1774 -------------- Tags: abstract art, post graffiti, street art, neoexpressio...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

"S&S&S&S 26 in Iridescent Aquamarine", Folded Archival Paper, Abstract Patterns
"S&S&S&S 26 in Iridescent Aquamarine", Folded Archival Paper, Abstract Patterns

"S&S&S&S 26 in Iridescent Aquamarine", Folded Archival Paper, Abstract Patterns

By Matt Shlian

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This piece titled "S&S&S&S 26 in Iridescent Aquamarine" is an original piece by Matt Shlian and is made from hand-folded archival paper. This piece measures 32”h x 25”w unframed. As...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper

Urban Landscape Painting of the Town Hall in Accrington in the North of England
Urban Landscape Painting of the Town Hall in Accrington in the North of England

Urban Landscape Painting of the Town Hall in Accrington in the North of England

By Angela Wakefield

Located in Preston, GB

Urban Landscape Painting of the Town Hall in Accrington in the North of England by Leading Contemporary British Artist, Angela Wakefield Art measures 18 x 24 inches Accrington Town...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Board

Local Blooms - Framed Abstract Colorful Still Life Mixed Media Artwork on Canvas
Local Blooms - Framed Abstract Colorful Still Life Mixed Media Artwork on Canvas

Local Blooms - Framed Abstract Colorful Still Life Mixed Media Artwork on Canvas

By Kellie Newsome

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Dynamic and abstracted still-life artworks are the specialty of Georgia-based artist Kellie Newsome. Her work is characterized by a loose and expressive style emphasizing line struct...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Color Pencil

[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Bathers by the Water

[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Bathers by the Water

By Mark Beard

Located in New York, NY

[Bruce Sargeant (1898-1938)] Three Bathers by the Water Signed in red, recto Oil on canvas 96.25 x 67 inches (244.5 x 170.2 cm) $15,000 + $900 framing This work is offered by Cla...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Masonite, Oil

Peter Hoffer "White Pine" - Landscape Painting on Wood Panel

Peter Hoffer "White Pine" - Landscape Painting on Wood Panel

By Peter Hoffer

Located in New York, NY

Peter Hoffer White Pine, 2020 oil, acrylic and resin on panel 36 x 60 in (hoff189) This original landscape painting on panel by Peter Hoffer is simultaneously contemporary and tradi...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Resin, Oil, Acrylic, Wood Panel

Angelic Crystal, Marble Dust, Atelier
Angelic Crystal, Marble Dust, Atelier

Angelic Crystal, Marble Dust, Atelier

By Richard MacDonald

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Intrigued by the stature and carriage of a particular figure, MacDonald pursued Angelic Crystal, the study of a ballerina in the studio. Inspired by a continuing appreciation of danc...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble

"Afloat" 2019 Original Oil Painting 18"x18"
"Afloat" 2019 Original Oil Painting 18"x18"

"Afloat" 2019 Original Oil Painting 18"x18"

Located in Boca Raton, FL

"Afloat" is an figurative Original Oil Painting by Contemporary Realist Megan Eisenberg. Made using high quality Gamblin oil paints on 3/4" hardwood panel.

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Oil

City and Color - Abstract Vibrant Experimental Textured Painting on Canvas
City and Color - Abstract Vibrant Experimental Textured Painting on Canvas

City and Color - Abstract Vibrant Experimental Textured Painting on Canvas

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Capturing movement in acrylic and spray paint, Armen Ges experiments with optical illusions and perspective in his original abstract artworks. To create these intriguing visuals, Ges...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic

Daisies, "Moments" series
Daisies, "Moments" series

Daisies, "Moments" series

Located in Zofingen, AG

The "Moments" series tells a visual story of life’s events—both big and small—that stay with us and warm the soul Each painting is available individually, yet all the works in this ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Fishing off the Pier, Original Painting
Fishing off the Pier, Original Painting

Fishing off the Pier, Original Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A man and a little boy stand on a wooden pier and fish in the bright midday sun. One holds his rod over the water while the other leans on the railing beside hi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic

Turtles (Teal, Blue, Brown, Deep, Vibrant)
Turtles (Teal, Blue, Brown, Deep, Vibrant)

Turtles (Teal, Blue, Brown, Deep, Vibrant)

By Jill Opelka

Located in Kansas City, MO

Jill Opelka Turtles Oil on Canvas Year: 2023 Size: 40x30in Framed: 41x30x1.5in Signed by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-2051 Tags: Turtles, Teal, Blue, Brown, Deep, Vibrant *Framed in a black wooden frame ----------------- Upon entering Jill Opelka's home, her creative essence is unmistakable. Adorned with New Yorker Magazine covers, her dining room exudes a vibrant charm, complemented by quirky giant tortoises in the living room. The space is a reflection of Opelka's lively personality, evident in her central studio nestled within the bright breakfast nook. Embraced by natural light and captivating outdoor vistas, it's where her artistry thrives, even evident in intricate details like a practical denim quilt...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Oil

Contemporary art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Contemporary art 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 art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Stefanie Schneider, Tyler Shields, Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde, and Richard Heeps. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Paper 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 art, so small editions measuring 0.02 inches across are also available.