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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
Tales By Moonlight 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Landscapes, Modern City, Oil
Tales By Moonlight 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Landscapes, Modern City, Oil

Tales By Moonlight 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Landscapes, Modern City, Oil

By Akinsemoyin Basit A

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

As the moon climbed higher, the stories grew darker, more fantastical. Whispers of mermaids, shipwrecks, and buried treasure filled the air. The harbor town, once a bustling hub of a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Mixed Media

The Curious Cow, Faroe Islands, Limited Edition Black and White Photograph
The Curious Cow, Faroe Islands, Limited Edition Black and White Photograph

The Curious Cow, Faroe Islands, Limited Edition Black and White Photograph

By Gerald Berghammer

Located in Vienna, Vienna

Archival pigment ink print, produced in a limited edition of 7 // Gallery ID: 21359 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

Archival Pigment

A Meal Alone with Oneself
A Meal Alone with Oneself

A Meal Alone with Oneself

By Daria Okhrimenko

Located in Zofingen, AG

A Meal Alone with Oneself is not about solitude, but about returning — to your own rhythm, your own desires, your own quiet center. In a world that constantly asks for more, faster, ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Mystical Forest Clearing, Madeira, Limited Black-and-White Landscape Photograph
Mystical Forest Clearing, Madeira, Limited Black-and-White Landscape Photograph

Mystical Forest Clearing, Madeira, Limited Black-and-White Landscape Photograph

By Gerald Berghammer

Located in Vienna, Vienna

Archival pigment ink print, produced in a limited edition of 7 // Gallery ID: 21360 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

The Enigma Machine, Bletchley Park - British history color photography
The Enigma Machine, Bletchley Park - British history color photography

The Enigma Machine, Bletchley Park - British history color photography

By Richard Heeps

Located in Cambridge, GB

Richard Heeps photographed Bletchley Park in partnership with Hertfordshire University and Bletchley Park Trust, to document Alan Turing’s historic past at Bletchley. He was privileg...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Art

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin

Such is Life - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Men
Such is Life - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Men

Such is Life - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Men

By Oluwatimileyin Tega Adegbenjo

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Life's journey twists and turns, Ups and downs, joys and burns. Moments sweet, moments sour, Such is life, in every hour. Dreams bloom, dreams fade away, Hopes rise, hopes fade to g...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hero, Original Painting
Hero, Original Painting

Hero, Original Painting

By Jaime Ellsworth

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A white horse wearing a black eye mask and a cape appears heroic against a clay red background. Artist Jaime Ellsworth portrays the stylized animal with gracefu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Acrylic

Serie Dibujos Felices 10 - Original Red Blue Watercolor and Ink Artwork on Paper
Serie Dibujos Felices 10 - Original Red Blue Watercolor and Ink Artwork on Paper

Serie Dibujos Felices 10 - Original Red Blue Watercolor and Ink Artwork on Paper

By "Sergio ""Valenz"" Valenzuela"

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Sergio Valenzuela “Valenz” is a contemporary Guatemalan artist who tells stories with everyday objects, primarily expressing them with graphite and acrylic on canvas. His artworks pr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Ink, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Pink Flamingo
Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo

By Jacob Burda

Located in Zofingen, AG

Pink Flamingo captures a quiet moment of stillness hidden within dense green surroundings. Emerging softly from layers of expressive brushstrokes, the solitary flamingo becomes both ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Guardians & Butterflies Savior
Guardians & Butterflies Savior

Guardians & Butterflies Savior

By Hunt Slonem

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Hunt Slonem, American, included in 250+ museum collections Unique oil on canvas painting, signed and dated verso Inspired by nature and his 60 pet birds, Hunt Slonem is renowned fo...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

St. Nectans Glen, Waterfall, England, monochrome photograph waterscape limited
St. Nectans Glen, Waterfall, England, monochrome photograph waterscape limited

St. Nectans Glen, Waterfall, England, monochrome photograph waterscape limited

By Gerald Berghammer

Located in Vienna, Vienna

Archival pigment ink print, produced in a limited edition of 7 // Gallery ID: 21370 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

Unfolding Dreams - Modern Relaxing Figurative Bronze Iron Metal Wall Sculpture
Unfolding Dreams - Modern Relaxing Figurative Bronze Iron Metal Wall Sculpture

Unfolding Dreams - Modern Relaxing Figurative Bronze Iron Metal Wall Sculpture

By Mireia Serra

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Mireia Serra creates sensuous bronze and iron sculptures that capture the beauty of snapshots from life, full of emotions and feelings along the journey of life. Her metal artworks c...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Iron

I Can Do Anything
I Can Do Anything

I Can Do Anything

By Olga Tsyhypko

Located in Zofingen, AG

The painting from the "Echo of Harmony" series, titled "I Can Do Anything". This work is my artistic statement on inner strength and emotional balance. Using acrylic on canvas, I ca...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Kristal - Original Silver Leaf and Gold Floral Sally K Figurative Artwork
Kristal - Original Silver Leaf and Gold Floral Sally K Figurative Artwork

Kristal - Original Silver Leaf and Gold Floral Sally K Figurative Artwork

By Sally K

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Lebanese American artist Sally K.'s captivating floral portraits are both mesmerizing and empowering. Her pop-realistic paintings are inspired by strong, feminine women, celebrating ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic

Steps  - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 43" x 35"
Steps  - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 43" x 35"

Steps - underwater photograph - archival pigment print 43" x 35"

By Alex Sher

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This ethereal underwater fine art photograph captures a figure suspended above submerged pool steps, rendered in soft aquamarine and pearl tones. The crystalline water creates a drea...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Little Darlings (Till Death do us Part) - Contemporary, Polaroid, Women

Little Darlings (Till Death do us Part) - Contemporary, Polaroid, Women

By Stefanie Schneider

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

Little Darlings (Till Death do us Part) - 2005 38x37cm, Edition of 10, plus 2 artist proofs. Archival C-Print, based on the Polaroid. Certificate and Signature label. Artist Inv...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Art

Materials

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

Living Life
Living Life

Living Life

By Jacob Burda

Located in Zofingen, AG

A celebration of everyday moments — quiet, warm, and deeply human. This painting captures the gentle rhythm of existence, where light meets stillness and ordinary scenes become timel...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

After Botero Bronze Sculpture of Man on Horse, Dark Patina, Edition 50 beautiful
After Botero Bronze Sculpture of Man on Horse, Dark Patina, Edition 50 beautiful

After Botero Bronze Sculpture of Man on Horse, Dark Patina, Edition 50 beautiful

By Fernando Botero

Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México

This AFTER BOTERO sculpture is a very beautiful, faithful reproduction in the style of BOTERO'S work that has sold very well here on 1st Dibs. Please give us up to 10 working days to...

Category

20th Century Contemporary Art

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Sunset of São Miguel, Contemporary Offset Print, 2000-2009, Unframed
Sunset of São Miguel, Contemporary Offset Print, 2000-2009, Unframed

Sunset of São Miguel, Contemporary Offset Print, 2000-2009, Unframed

Located in Brooklyn, NY

São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores archipelago, offers stunning sunsets over its diverse landscapes. Known for its volcanic origin and lush greenery, São Miguel boasts pano...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Art

Materials

Offset

Lotus Flower Panorama - seascape, minimalist flower - Vietnam - limited edition
Lotus Flower Panorama - seascape, minimalist flower - Vietnam - limited edition

Lotus Flower Panorama - seascape, minimalist flower - Vietnam - limited edition

By Gerald Berghammer

Located in Vienna, Vienna

Gerald Berghammer - Black and white minimalist waterside photography. Water lilies and lily pads on a calm pond with reflections of the flowers in the water. All Gerald Berghammer p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Digital Pigment

The Blue House - colorful cityscape - Venetian Lagoon, Venice - limited print
The Blue House - colorful cityscape - Venetian Lagoon, Venice - limited print

The Blue House - colorful cityscape - Venetian Lagoon, Venice - limited print

By Gerald Berghammer

Located in Vienna, Vienna

Archival pigment ink print, produced in a limited edition of 7 // Gallery ID: 25047 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

"Make Believer (V3)", Hand cut stencil, acrylic, aerosol
"Make Believer (V3)", Hand cut stencil, acrylic, aerosol

"Make Believer (V3)", Hand cut stencil, acrylic, aerosol

By Mando Marie (seeyouthroughit)

Located in Philadelphia, PA

"Make Believer (V3)" is a one-of-a-kind original work by Amanda Marie (Mando), created using acrylic and aerosol on paper. The piece measures 19.75 × 15.75 inches and is pencil signe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper, Spray Paint, Acrylic

THE SHADOW II - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Women's Portrait
THE SHADOW II - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Women's Portrait

THE SHADOW II - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Women's Portrait

By Jarek Puczel

Located in Salzburg, AT

The Polish artist Jarek Puczel catches the calmness of apparently simple and unspectacular situations with an impressive modesty and apparent ease. He creates an interesting and tens...

Category

2010s Contemporary Art

Materials

Canvas, 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.