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.
Best of Friends -21st Century, Contemporary Figurative Portrait, Art Deco Africa
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This is for a special person in my life, the person I talk to about my plans, my best friend. Someone who is close and dear and always there when I need him, the one who walks with ...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
"In The Distance (mini v3)", Vintage-Inspired Figurative Stencil Car Scene
By Mando Marie (seeyouthroughit)
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"In The Distance (mini v3)" is a one-of-a-kind original work by Amanda Marie (Mando), created using acrylic and aerosol on paper. The piece measures 9"h x 12.5"w framed and shipped i...
Paper, Spray Paint, Acrylic
Peace Within 2 -21st Century Contemporary Figurative, Art Deco, People, Africa
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bakare Babatund...
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
"Susie Hotel" - Original Cityscape Oil Painting on Wood Panel
By Calvin Lai
Located in Denver, CO
Calvin Lai's "Susie Hotel" is an original, handmade oil painting on wood panel that depicts a city scene at night, with bright lights from the buildings reflecting off of the wet sid...
Oil, Wood Panel
Saddle Up, Buttercup - Contemporary Cowboy Horse Landscape Painting
Located in DE
Step into a world where freedom, femininity and the untamed spirit of the American West come together. In this vibrant new collection, Katharina Hormel reimagines the Western landsc...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Above and Beyond"
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Peregrine Heathcote’s paintings conjure a world of intoxicating glamour and intrigue, slipping across the boundaries of time to fuse iconic pre-war design with modern conceptions of ...
Canvas, Oil
The Quiet between Rides - Contemporary Cowboy Horse Landscape Painting
Located in DE
Step into a world where freedom, femininity and the untamed spirit of the American West come together. In this vibrant new collection, Katharina Hormel reimagines the Western landsc...
Canvas, Acrylic
Woman with ginger cat original painting " Silk Evening"
Located in Zofingen, AG
🌸 Title :" Silk Evening" artwork from series " Light beetween the days" 🌸 Size: 24 x 31 inches 🌸 Artist: Halyna Kirichenko 🌸 Work: Original acrylic Painting, One of a Kind 🌸 Me...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,568
Professional Dust Kickers: Contemporary Cowboys and horses Landscape Painting
Located in DE
A vibrant oil painting captures a serene moment in a desert landscape. The scene unfolds under a soft pink sky. Figures of cowboys stand in quiet camaraderie. Their attire blends ear...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ascending
By Gwen Wong
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...
Gold Leaf
Summer Memories
By Jacob Burda
Located in Zofingen, AG
Some of the most precious memories are born on days when nothing extraordinary seems to happen. A warm summer day by the water. The sound of people talking in the distance, children...
Canvas, Acrylic
Story of the Family Dog - Colorful Figurative Abstract Textural Mixed Media Art
By Olympio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This textural mixed-media painting on canvas by Togolese artist Olympio delivers an unfiltered glimpse into the artist's soul through a powerful blend of texture, energy, and abstrac...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Flash and Glimmer, I
By Gwen Wong
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...
Gold Leaf
Girl with Geometric Rabbit. Original Contemporary Figurative Oil, Acrylic Art
Located in Oslo, NO
The composition captures a girl in mid-motion, running alongside a vivid geometric rabbit through a summer forest. Loose, layered brushwork and vertical streaks create a strong sense...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$1,742
Splash of Joy. Original Contemporary Figurative Acrylic Painting, Child - Rabbit
Located in Oslo, NO
Joy in Motion is an original acrylic painting on canvas that combines contemporary figurative painting with geometric abstraction. The artwork captures a carefree childhood moment as...
Canvas, Acrylic
Girl with Pink Rabbit – Contemporary Modern Figurative Acrylic Painting
Located in Oslo, NO
A contemporary modern figurative painting combining expressive realism with geometric abstraction. The artwork brings together elements of Contemporary Art and Modern Art through its...
Canvas, Charcoal, Acrylic
In love with today K.Husslein abstract still life flower painting
Located in DE
Katharina Husslein, a German artist renowned for her hyperrealistic artworks, captures the essence of vibrant bouquets and lush impasto landscapes through oil paintings. Raised in a...
Canvas, Oil
Beauty Within: Contemporary Portrait Painting in Oil and Acrylic
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Black is a powerhouse of confidence, as well as being comfortable in your skin and embracing everything about yourself (including your hair). Her hair is like a halo around her head,...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$3,253
Jetty 12 January 16:02 - Modern Minimalistic Landscape Painting, See View
Located in Hallein, AT
Robert Motelski's paintings are exceptional visions of nature, visions of space which surrounds us. They tell about being, fate and passing. They depend on the season of year, the ti...
Canvas, Oil
It's Late - Original Dramatic Feminine Figurative Portrait Acrylic Painting
By Xenia Gray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rooted in introspection and emotional nuance, Xenia Gray’s figurative mixed media works capture the quiet tension between solitude and connection. Her paintings often depict the huma...
Canvas, Acrylic
Epiphany
By Gwen Wong
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...
Gold Leaf
"El Guapo" - Contemporary Minimalist White Barn Acrylic Painting, 2025
Located in Denver, CO
Justin Wheatley (American, b. 1980) "El Guapo", 2025 Acrylic on canvas 48 x 36 in (121.92 x 91.44 cm) Signed "Wheatley" by the artist in paint, front lower left Unframed. The canvas ...
Acrylic, Canvas
$1,650
Shadow of Resilience - 21st Century, Contemporary Figurative Portrait, Art Deco
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
This piece represents the hidden or shadow side of the constant strength of black men, often highlighting how forced resilience can mask burnout, emotional suppression, or trauma fro...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
"Overlook" - Contemporary Acrylic Barn Painting on Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
Justin Wheatley was born and raised in Clinton, Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Utah State University with an emphasis in drawing and painting, and a Masters of Arts fro...
Canvas, Acrylic
Beginning XI - Contemporary Joyful Oil Painting, Beach View, Seaside, XL Format
Located in Hallein, AT
Signed to the verso Artodyssey "Julita Malinowska's paintings belong to those, which once seen - are never forgotten. The open spaces, sometimes cool and bright, at other times heav...
Canvas, Oil
"The Old Farmhouse" - Contemporary Acrylic Barn Painting on Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
Justin Wheatley was born and raised in Clinton, Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Utah State University with an emphasis in drawing and painting, and a Masters of Arts fro...
Canvas, Acrylic
On a Warm Summer Evening
By Jacob Burda
Located in Zofingen, AG
Life Is Beautiful is a celebration of the quiet richness hidden within ordinary days. We often feel that something is missing from our lives, believing happiness lies somewhere ahead...
Canvas, Acrylic
Interior with secretary Deck- 21st Century Contemporary Interior Painting
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Serge de Vries, Dutch artist Interior with secretary Desk 90 x 70 cm Oil on canvas A jug, a sugar bowl, a tea bag – these are objects that we hold carelessly every day, but Dutch f...
Oil, Wood Panel
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Bold - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Modern Women
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
"In a Round About Way", Figurative Painting of a Girl Dancing with Skeletons
By Mando Marie (seeyouthroughit)
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"In a Round About Way" is a one-of-a-kind original work by Amanda Marie (Mando), created using acrylic and aerosol on canvas. The piece measures 32.75”h x 21”w framed, and is shipped...
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$3,000Sale Price|40% Off
TURNING INTO STONE 3 Neo Mythology original oil large 30x38in in Florida
Located in Forest Hills, NY
"Turning into Stone 3 " . Original, unique painting. oil on canvas, 30x38in. Shipped stretched ready for display in the US, and shipped rolled in a tube to Europe and to the rest of...
Canvas, Oil
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Anny - 21st Century, Contemporary Figurative, Neo-Expressionism, Women
By Wisdom Uche
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique; this is not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Ar...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ancestral Throne - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Fabrics
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bakare Babatund...
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Beauty from Within 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Fabrics
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bakare Babatund...
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
Lady with Books 2 original painting by Paula Craioveanu 39x23in
Located in Forest Hills, NY
"Lady with Books 2", 39x23in / 100x60cm. Original painting. This particular piece is in my studio in Bucharest, Romania, Europe. Other pieces are in my other studios in Florida, or ...
Canvas, Acrylic
AV NOVA by Ramon Enrich - Architecture and Landscape Painting
By Ramon Enrich
Located in Paris, FR
AV NOVA is a painting by Spanish contemporary artist Ramon Enrich. Acrylic on canvas: H 39.4 × L 51.2 in inches / H 100 × L 130 cm. The artwork is sold framed (brown floating frame)...
Canvas, Acrylic
In the Moment
Located in Zofingen, AG
Size: 95×95 cm (overall size with stretching 105×105 cm) Year: 2026 Materials: acrylic on canvas Shipping: rolled Series: Chill Out «In the Moment» This painting is about the simple ...
Canvas, Acrylic
"On the Outskirts" - Contemporary Acrylic Barn Painting on Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
Justin Wheatley was born and raised in Clinton, Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Utah State University with an emphasis in drawing and painting, and a Masters of Arts fro...
Canvas, Acrylic
$12,500
Pair Play
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Denver, CO
Since 1977, Hunt Slonem has had more than 350 exhibitions at prestigious galleries and museums internationally. Globally, more than 250 museums include his work in their permanent co...
Oil, Wood
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
Joy Among Brothers 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary Figurative, Modern, Men
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
A moment of laughter, unguarded and true, between three men who know each other’s histories and hearts. Their closeness speaks of trust, vulnerability, and the quiet strength of frie...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
" The Keeper of the Path"
Located in Zofingen, AG
" The Keeper of the Path" artwork from series " The Guardians of the Path" In the flow of everyday life, each of us walks a winding path — filled with silent questions, victories or...
Canvas, Acrylic
Life Is Beautiful
By Jacob Burda
Located in Zofingen, AG
Life Is Beautiful is a celebration of the quiet richness hidden within ordinary days. We often feel that something is missing from our lives, believing happiness lies somewhere ahead...
Canvas, Acrylic
Yellow Owl
By Hunt Slonem
Located in Denver, CO
Since 1977, Hunt Slonem has had more than 350 exhibitions at prestigious galleries and museums internationally. Globally, more than 250 museums include his work in their permanent co...
Wood, Oil
Cow #1
Located in Zofingen, AG
Size: 95×95 cm (overall size with stretching 105×105 cm) Year: 2026 Materials: acrylic on canvas Shipping: rolled Cow #1 is a painting about the beauty of simple things and the joy ...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Midwinter" - Contemporary Acrylic Barn Painting on Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
Justin Wheatley was born and raised in Clinton, Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Utah State University with an emphasis in drawing and painting, and a Masters of Arts fro...
Canvas, Oil
Passenger
By Gwen Wong
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...
Gold Leaf
"To Be By Your Side"
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Peregrine Heathcote’s paintings conjure a world of intoxicating glamour and intrigue, slipping across the boundaries of time to fuse iconic pre-war design with modern conceptions of ...
Oil, Canvas
Chill Out: At Ease
Located in Zofingen, AG
Size: 90×90 cm (overall size with stretching 100×100 cm) Year: 2026 Materials: acrylic on canvas Shipping: rolled Series: Chill Out Title: «Chill Out: At Ease» This painting is abou...
Canvas, Acrylic
State of Mind 15 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Women, Floral
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The artist's expressive strokes, rendered with bold acrylics, bring to life a figurative portrait that speaks volumes about resilience and aspiration. The interplay of colors and tex...
Canvas, Acrylic
Scarlet Within - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Fabrics
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bakare Babatund...
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
Summer - Contemporary Impressionistic Painting of a Landscape
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Frank Dekkers Summer 140 x 200 cm (not framed) oil on canvas On the pictures we also show you the artist receiving the flowers on our opening of this exhibition september 3th 2023 i...
Cotton Canvas, Oil
Waiting for a Miracle- 21st century Contemporary Figure painting
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Ksenya Istomina – Waiting for a Miracle Oil on linen, 105 x 70 cm In Waiting for a Miracle, Ksenya Istomina captures a moment of quiet contemplation and anticipation. A young woman ...
Linen, Oil
$2,287Sale Price|25% Off
Horse , 60x80 cm, oil on canvas
Located in Yerevan, AM
Horse , 60x80 cm, oil on canvas
Canvas, Oil
$450
With You - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern, Africa
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Tos...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Being Present
Located in Zofingen, AG
Size: 95×120 cm (overall size with stretching 105×130 cm) Year: 2026 Materials: acrylic on canvas Shipping: rolled A white dog resting on a soft pink armchair becomes an image of q...
Canvas, Acrylic
Radiance of Her Root - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Fabrics
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Bakare Babatund...
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
After the Game (Figurative Painting, Two Men in Athletic Uniforms by Mark Beard)
By Mark Beard
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic style figurative portrait painting of a handsome young men "After the Game", By Mark Beard as Bruce Sargeant (pseudonym in homage to the fashion photographer, Bruce Weber, a...
Canvas, Oil
Pleasure - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa Women
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Pugna 061 by Chidy Wayne, Minimalist Style, Large Format
By Chidy Wayne
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Chidy Wayne (b. 1981, Spain) is an artist based in Barcelona. Over the years, he has established himself as a recognized figure in the art world, developing a personal artistic langu...
Mixed Media, Textile
"Summer Sunrise" - Contemporary Acrylic Barn Painting on Canvas
Located in Denver, CO
Justin Wheatley was born and raised in Clinton, Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Utah State University with an emphasis in drawing and painting, and a Masters of Arts fro...
Canvas, Oil