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
Canvas, Paint, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Board
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
1970s Contemporary Paintings
Tempera, Watercolor
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Thread, Wood, Paper, Found Objects, Acrylic, Engraving
Artist Comments
"A solitary deep pink daisy in an antique cup paired with a dried flower seed pod found on the path of my afternoon walk," shares artist Nicole Lamothe...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil, Handmade Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Color Pencil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Focusing on the elegance of everyday design, artist David Thelen presents a contemporary interior as both personal and universal. Defined by clean lines, a subt...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil
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
1980s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas
Artist Comments
On a crisp winter morning, the interplay of light and a clear sky with the grays, blacks, and whites of freshly fallen snow on trees captures a timeless beauty. The stillness of the scene radiates serenity, while the painting evokes the cold yet magical ambiance of the season.
About the Artist
Artist JoAnn Golenia draws inspiration from the beauty of the natural world. Trained as a biologist and having lived in various locations, her expressive realism style captures the unique characteristics of each location using eco-friendly acrylic techniques. Currently, her artistic focus revolves around the natural landscapes of Florida, drawing inspiration from photographs taken during her hikes in local parks. "The everyday outdoors inspires me," shares JoAnn. Despite her studio being a hub of creativity with supplies and artwork, JoAnn Golenia navigates it easily, crafting vibrant and expressive paintings that hold a special place in her heart. Beyond her artistic pursuits, JoAnn's interests extend to staying informed about the latest health research through avid reading. Her multifaceted passion and dedication shine through in her art and her ongoing engagement with the world around her.
Words that describe this painting: snow, winter, trees, forest, birch, aspen, nature, contemporary, acrylic painting, white, blue
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Oil Pastel, Oil, Archival Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Graphite
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Fabric, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Charcoal
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil Pastel, Mixed Media, Oil, Canvas
Early 2000s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Ink, Acrylic, Magazine Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Contemporary Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
Contemporary paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
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