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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
Let them Dance, Photography, Story teller, Hollywood

Let them Dance, Photography, Story teller, Hollywood

By Tyler Shields

Located in München, BY

Edition of 3 More sizes on request. 6 ladies dancing in baroque costumes. Tyler Shields is an American Photographer, screenwriter, director and former professional inline skater who has been labeled by some as “Hollywood’s favorite photographer”. He is best known for his unparalleled, controversial, shock evoking photographs of Hollywood Celebrities. Shield’s images often incorporate violence and eroticism, such as his 2011 photograph of Lindsay Lohan in which she appears seductive while being covered in blood and holding a knife. Continuing to push the boundaries, in preparation for his Life Is Not A Fairytale (2011) exhibit in 2011, Shields collected blood from twenty celebrities to paint with, onto a canvas. Shields also appeared to stage the “shooting” of a party-goer with a gun the same year at a release party for his book “Collisions” as an appropriated piece of performance art en homage to the cans of Fluxus artist, Piero Manzoni. Shields is not shy to controversy, in 2012 he also released a photograph of Francesca Eastwood, burning, sawing and biting a $100,000 Hermès Birkin Bag for a photoshoot. Moreover, his series “Suspense” (2013) portrays and depicts stars such as Emma Roberts, Francesca Eastwood and Lydia Hearst frozen in mid-air falling and voluntarily jumping off buildings and bridges creating a sense of movement, adrenaline, and excitement. “Suspense is not about death; it’s about life” explains Shields. Rather than focusing on the person in the frame, these images are more concerned with the action, environment, and landscape. In 2015. Shields created the series “Historical Fiction” which focuses on historical events such as the deaths of James Dean, John F Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King among many more historical events. This series put the American Civil Rights Era at the forefront of his work, as these images explore dark moments in history with many of them honing in on moments that confront the country’s racist past. Furthermore, in 2015 Shields created his hit series “Chromatics” which surrounds the theme of “beauty in chaos” captured through freeze frames of surreal, technicolor violence with colored powder. In order to create this violence, he lined up 20 people up against each other and made them fight with powder. Shields’ talent goes beyond shock. His unique, sinister and daring lens through which he composes and creates his work enables him to push boundaries and experiment with tweaking the Hollywood mystique. The mystery behind his relationships and habits captivate the media, not unlike the art world’s best-known friend of the famous, Andy Warhol. _Photography, nude, woman, naked, story teller...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

C Print

Pool Side - contemporary, minimalist, watercolor on paper
Pool Side - contemporary, minimalist, watercolor on paper

Pool Side - contemporary, minimalist, watercolor on paper

By Pat Service

Located in Bloomfield, ON

This contemporary watercolour painting by Pat Service has a summer theme. In this serene painting, Pat Service illustrates a classic summer image—the backyard swimming pool. The tur...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Minor Saint

Minor Saint

By Barnaby Fitzgerald

Located in Dallas, TX

A professor of painting at Southern Methodist University since 1984, Barnaby Fitzgerald spent his childhood in Italy where he earned a printmaking degree in Urbino. He received a BFA...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Egg Tempera, Panel

Sparkle

Sparkle

Located in Atlanta, GA

Gwen Wong's work is both painterly and allegorical, caught somewhere in the middle between the representational painter and the narrator. "I am inspired by the idea of a childhood re...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Leaving" Oil Painting
"Leaving" Oil Painting

"Leaving" Oil Painting

By Shelli Langdale

Located in Denver, CO

Shelli Langdale's "Leaving" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a white horse in a green field with a red balloon hovering above its form. Artist Bio: Shelli Langdal...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Stretch, Oil Painting
Stretch, Oil Painting

Stretch, Oil Painting

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
In this dynamic work, swimmers prepare to dive, creating a striking sense of synchronization and discipline. The slightly forward position of the lead figure es...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Oil

I Love…
I Love…

I Love…

By David Shrigley

Located in Bristol, GB

4 colour screenprint on Somerset Tub Sized Satin White 410gsm Edition 117 of 125 76 x 60 cm (29.9 x 23.6 in) Signed, numbered and dated on the back Mint. Minor imperfections may appe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Screen

Retna Braddock Tiles Print
Retna Braddock Tiles Print

Retna Braddock Tiles Print

By RETNA

Located in Englishtown, NJ

Gorgeous Retna Braddock Tiles Print. Created by Retna in his distinctive style combining calligraphy, hieroglyphics and graffiti in gorgeous vibrant colors. Limited edition of 250. ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Digital

Aftermath

Aftermath

By Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

Aftermath - 2016 50x50cm. Edition of 7 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print, based on a Polaroid. Signed on the back and with certificate. Artist inventory PL2016-217. Not mo...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Conor Harrington Samsons Nostalgia Trap
Conor Harrington Samsons Nostalgia Trap

Conor Harrington Samsons Nostalgia Trap

Located in Englishtown, NJ

Stunning print by Conor Harrington featuring artist's depiction of the story of Samson & Delilah with amazing colors and shine. Limited edition of only 200. Hand signed by Conor Harr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Varnish, Archival Pigment

Bert Stern, "Lolita, " 1962, original photograph, hand signed
Bert Stern, "Lolita, " 1962, original photograph, hand signed

Bert Stern, "Lolita, " 1962, original photograph, hand signed

By Bert Stern

Located in Chatsworth, CA

Artist: Bert Stern Title: Lolita, 1960 Year: shot in 1960, printed at a later date Medium: Color photograph, hand signed and numbered in red ink, also signed in back of piece in blac...

Category

1960s Contemporary Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Stars 7, 2015 - Stars and Trees in Ancient English Woodland Forest Landscape

Stars 7, 2015 - Stars and Trees in Ancient English Woodland Forest Landscape

By Ellie Davies

Located in Brighton, GB

Stars 7, 2015 - Stars and Trees in Ancient English Woodland Forest Landscape by Ellie Davies Stars 7 by Ellie Davies is a stunning Digital C-Type Print on Fuji Maxima Matte paper, a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, Digital, C Print, Color

Evening and Black Tea Painting, Figurative Landscape, Large Scale, New
Evening and Black Tea Painting, Figurative Landscape, Large Scale, New

Evening and Black Tea Painting, Figurative Landscape, Large Scale, New

Located in Zofingen, AG

Part of the City Stories series, Evening and Black Tea captures the poetic quiet of a city evening as life slows and lights begin to glow. At the heart of the scene, a couple sits at...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Inspiratio, Atelier
Inspiratio, Atelier

Inspiratio, Atelier

By Richard MacDonald

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

"Inspiratio, Atelier" by Richard MacDonald captures a powerful moment of harmony between two dancers—a male and female form united in perfect poise. With one arm each extended skywar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Bronze

Unintended - Contemporary, Nude, Women, Polaroid, 21st Century

Unintended - Contemporary, Nude, Women, Polaroid, 21st Century

By Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

Unintended - 2021 50x40cm, Edition of 7 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print based on a Polaroid. Signed on the back and with certificate. Artist inventory PL2021-1093. Not m...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Immerse XXVIII, Figurative Art, Contemporary Modern Art, Summertime Art
Immerse XXVIII, Figurative Art, Contemporary Modern Art, Summertime Art

Immerse XXVIII, Figurative Art, Contemporary Modern Art, Summertime Art

By Henry Walsh

Located in Deddington, GB

Immerse XXVIII by Henry Walsh [2020] original Acrylic on Canvas Image size: H:30 cm x W:100 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:30 cm x W:100 cm x D:4cm Sold Unframed Please note that insitu images are purely an indication of how a piece may look Immerse XXVIII by Henry Walsh is an original acrylic painting on a 4cm deep canvas that features a supposed busy atmosphere of many people swimming, but at the same time is sparse. Henry Walsh’s work begin with snapshots of busy life and by a process of elimination, he refocus’ on the image and on the elements that encapsulate a sober thoughtfulness.Henry Walsh artist's works are available to buy online with Wychwood art and in our art gallery. Henry Walsh was born 1978 in Norwich, England and spent his childhood in the Suffolk countryside. Henry studied art at Ipswich College in Suffolk, and then Loughborough University in Leicestershire. In 2000 he moved to London to find work that would further his art career and help to maintain his painting. In Spring 2011 Henry and his family moved from London to the High Peak in Derbyshire. Henry is now a freelance artist & designer concentrating more time to his painting. Artist and painter Henry Walsh comments “My work begins with snapshots of busy city life and by a process of elimination I refocus the image on elements that encapsulate a sober thoughtfulness." "Scattered throughout the hustle and bustle of concrete life, like pools among the rocks, are the parks and squares that provide us with a place to breathe and a time to think. It is a fundamental need of a sane society to be able to stop once in a while and wander from the routine, lift our heads and look at the sky or take in our regular surroundings with a fresh insight.” “Sitting on the top deck of a London bus, I let my mind stroll over the lives of the people on the street, they obtain new life stories; I’m placing myself in their shoes...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Hunt Slonem "Max" Bunny
Hunt Slonem "Max" Bunny

Hunt Slonem "Max" Bunny

By Hunt Slonem

Located in Boston, MA

Artist: Slonem, Hunt Title: Max Date: 2024 Medium: Oil on Wood Unframed Dimensions: 10" x 8" Framed Dimensions: 14.5" x 12.5" Signature: Signed Verso Edition: Unique Provenanc...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Oil

Karina - Signed limited edition Figurative fine art print, Contemporary Oversize
Karina - Signed limited edition Figurative fine art print, Contemporary Oversize

Karina - Signed limited edition Figurative fine art print, Contemporary Oversize

By Ian Sanderson

Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona

Karina - Signed limited edition archival pigment print on an textured art paper - Edition of 8 Photography : 2009 Bichromate print : 2010 Several negatives was used to create a h...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Art

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Color, Giclée, Pi...

Venus - Contemporary, Women, Polaroid, 21st Century, Nude

Venus - Contemporary, Women, Polaroid, 21st Century, Nude

By Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

'Venus' 2019, 20x20cm, Edition 1/7 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Digital C-Print, based on a Polaroid, not mounted. Signed on the back and with certificate. Artist inventory PL2019-627. Kir...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Black and White, C Print, Polaroid

No But Yes, by Yuji Hiratsuka
No But Yes, by Yuji Hiratsuka

No But Yes, by Yuji Hiratsuka

By Yuji Hiratsuka

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Image of a young woman, pondering a question over a cup of coffee. While the images have some resemblance to traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, their sense of whimsy, satire and i...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint, Intaglio

Dreams by the window, original artwork by Tetiana Pchelnykova
Dreams by the window, original artwork by Tetiana Pchelnykova

Dreams by the window, original artwork by Tetiana Pchelnykova

Located in Zofingen, AG

Welcome to my online gallery, where you can explore my new series of paintings - "The Joy Series: A Journey to Inner Happiness." In this series of artworks, I delve into the theme of...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Dreamscape - Colorful Abstract By Lesley Anne Spowart
Dreamscape - Colorful Abstract By Lesley Anne Spowart

Dreamscape - Colorful Abstract By Lesley Anne Spowart

Located in Carmel, CA

Lesley Anne Spowart, an abstract artist hailing from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is renowned for her transformative creations that blur the boundaries of mediums and styles. With a di...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Board

Wild Things (Till Death do us Part) - Polaroid

Wild Things (Till Death do us Part) - Polaroid

By Stefanie Schneider

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

48x47cm, Edition of 10, plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print, based on the Polaroid. Certificate and Signature label. Artist Inventory #9309 Not mounted. Stefanie Schneider's...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Art

Materials

Photographic Film, Archival Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

I Could Feel You, Tracey Emin, rare 2015 giclee print plate signed 300 gsm paper
I Could Feel You, Tracey Emin, rare 2015 giclee print plate signed 300 gsm paper

I Could Feel You, Tracey Emin, rare 2015 giclee print plate signed 300 gsm paper

By Tracey Emin

Located in New York, NY

Tracey Emin I Could Feel You, 2015 Archival quality giclée print on Purcell Ultrasmooth Fine Art Paper 300 GSM 9 1/2 × 12 inches Plate signed Unframed Rare archival quality, giclée reproduction of Tracey Emin's original gouache I Could Feel You, which is in the permanent modern art collection of the Tate. This was printed back in 2015 in an undisclosed limited edition, and is now long sold out. More details about the original 2014 work are on the Tate Gallery's website as follows: Emin, whose work is often candidly autobiographical, scrutinises her relationship with her own body, using drawing...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Giclée

“Roses in a Porcelain Pitcher”
“Roses in a Porcelain Pitcher”

“Roses in a Porcelain Pitcher”

By John C. Traynor

Located in Southampton, NY

Original oil on board still life painting of roses in a blue and white porcelain pitcher. Signed lower right by the artist and dated 1999. Condition is excellent. The painting is housed in a gold gallery frame with narrow linen liner. Overall framed measurements are 17.5 by 14.5 inches. Provenance: A Sarasota, Florida collector. John C. Traynor combines the 19th century element of atmosphere with the realistic, yet soft rendering of color and light reminiscent of the Dutch Masters to create his own distinctive style. John was born in 1961 and spent his early years growing up in Chester and Mendham, New Jersey. His classical training began at the Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, and afterward he continued his art education at Paier College of Art in New Haven, Connecticut. As a merit scholar, John studied figure painting with Frank Mason at the Art Students League of New York. He concentrated on his understanding of form while studying drawing with Carroll Jones...

Category

1990s Contemporary Art

Materials

Oil, Board

The Hunt - Drawing by Lars Bo - 1962
The Hunt - Drawing by Lars Bo - 1962

The Hunt - Drawing by Lars Bo - 1962

By Lars Bo

Located in Roma, IT

The hunt is an original moder artwork realized by Lars Bo in 1962. Watercolored china on paper. Hand signed and dated on the lower right margin. Hand wrtitten notes on the back I...

Category

1960s Contemporary Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Evenfall

Evenfall

Located in London, GB

Evenfall, 2024 Archival Inkjet with Screenprint Overlay on Somerset Enhanced Infinity 330 gsm Paper edition of 99 hand-signed and numbered by the artist Stanley Donwood is a British...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Inkjet, Archival Pigment, Screen

A Vast Valley with Yellow - painting, acrylic and ink on canvas
A Vast Valley with Yellow - painting, acrylic and ink on canvas

A Vast Valley with Yellow - painting, acrylic and ink on canvas

By Aron Hill

Located in Bloomfield, ON

The expressive minimalist paintings of Aron Hill find inspiration in organic natural forms. The Calgary artist’s compositions are often bold in colour—yellow, red, orange, bright pin...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

GIRL IN LOVE 2 original art Paula Craioveanu

GIRL IN LOVE 2 original art Paula Craioveanu

By Paula Craioveanu

Located in Forest Hills, NY

“Girl in Love with Mask”, tempera acrylic pencil on paper. Check 1stDibs free shipping code for items over $500. Shipped rolled in a tube, well packed. Artist Statement "I start...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Ink, Tempera, Archival Paper

LIMINAL STATE - Sculpture in Bronze with Amethyst crystals
LIMINAL STATE - Sculpture in Bronze with Amethyst crystals

LIMINAL STATE - Sculpture in Bronze with Amethyst crystals

Located in Naples, Florida

The sculpture is patinated bronze with naturally occurring amethyst crystals. Comes on a special base 42.5 in. tall. The cementitious pedestal base is unique and hand made in the ar...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Bronze

Shrink - Contemporary, Polaroid, Color, Women, 21st Century

Shrink - Contemporary, Polaroid, Color, Women, 21st Century

By Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

Shrink - 2020 20x20cm, Edition of 7 plus 2 Artist Proofs, digital C-Print based on a Polaroid. Signed on the back and with certificate. Artist inventory PL2020-959. Not mounted. ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Damage control - Polaroid, Black and White, Women, 21st Century, Nude

Damage control - Polaroid, Black and White, Women, 21st Century, Nude

By Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

Damage control - 2020 50x50cm, Edition of 7 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival C-Print based on a Polaroid. Signature label with certificate. Artist inventory PL2020-946. Not mount...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid

Hunt Slonem "Marlyne" Bunny
Hunt Slonem "Marlyne" Bunny

Hunt Slonem "Marlyne" Bunny

By Hunt Slonem

Located in Boston, MA

Artist: Slonem, Hunt Title: Marlyne Date: 2025 Medium: Oil on wood Unframed Dimensions: 10" x 8" Framed Dimensions: 14.5" x 12.5" Signature: Signed by Artist on Verso Edition:...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Oil

"Wanderer Study 3" Aged Architecture in Charcoal, Ink and Collaged Painting
"Wanderer Study 3" Aged Architecture in Charcoal, Ink and Collaged Painting

"Wanderer Study 3" Aged Architecture in Charcoal, Ink and Collaged Painting

By Seth Clark

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This piece, titled "Wanderer Study 3" is an original artwork by Seth Clark as part of his newest solo exhibition, "Passing Through". made of collage, charcoal, pastel, acrylic, and g...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood, Paper, Charcoal, Pastel, Acrylic, Graphite

"Wanderer 17" Collaged Papers with Pastel, Acrylic and Graphite on Wood
"Wanderer 17" Collaged Papers with Pastel, Acrylic and Graphite on Wood

"Wanderer 17" Collaged Papers with Pastel, Acrylic and Graphite on Wood

By Seth Clark

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This piece, titled "Wanderer 17" is an original artwork by Seth Clark as part of his newest solo exhibition, "Passing Through". made of collage, charcoal, pastel, acrylic, and graphi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood, Paper, Charcoal, Pastel, Acrylic, Graphite

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.