Contemporary Outdoor Art
2010s Contemporary Sculptures
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
Concrete
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Contemporary Outdoor Art For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Contemporary Outdoor Art?
Finding the Right Sculptures for You
The history of sculpture as we know it is believed to have origins in Ancient Greece, while small sculptural carvings are among the most common examples of prehistoric art. In short, sculpture as a fine art has been with us forever. A powerful three-dimensional means of creative expression, sculpture has long been most frequently associated with religion — consider the limestone Great Sphinx in Giza, Egypt — while the tradition of collecting sculpture, which has also been traced back to Greece as well as to China, far precedes the emergence of museums.
Technique and materials in sculpture have changed over time. Stone sculpture, which essentially began as images carved into cave walls, is as old as human civilization itself. The majority of surviving sculpted works from ancient cultures are stone. Traditionally, this material and pottery as well as metal — bronze in particular — were among the most common materials associated with this field of visual art. Artists have long sought new ways and materials in order to make sculptures and express their ideas. Material, after all, is the vehicle through which artists express themselves, or at least work out the problems knocking around in their heads. It also allows them to push the boundaries of form, subverting our expectations and upending convention. As an influential sculptor as much as he was a revolutionary painter and printmaker, Pablo Picasso worked with everything from wire to wood to bicycle seats.
If you are a lover of art and antiques or are thinking of bringing a work of sculpture into your home for the first time, there are several details to keep in mind. As with all other works of art, think about what you like. What speaks to you? Visit local galleries and museums. Take in works of public art and art fairs when you can and find out what kind of sculpture you like. When you’ve come to a decision about a specific work, try to find out all you can about the piece, and if you’re not buying from a sculptor directly, work with an art expert to confirm the work’s authenticity.
And when you bring your sculpture home, remember: No matter how big or small your new addition is, it will make a statement in your space. Large- and even medium-sized sculptures can be heavy, so hire some professional art handlers as necessary and find a good place in your home for your piece. Whether you’re installing a towering new figurative sculpture — a colorful character by KAWS or hyperreal work by Carole A. Feuerman, perhaps — or an abstract work by Won Lee, you’ll want the sculpture to be safe from being knocked over. (You’ll find that most sculptures should be displayed at eye level, while some large busts look best from below.)
On 1stDibs, find a broad range of exceptional sculptures for sale. Browse works by your favorite creator, style, period or other attribute.
- What is contemporary art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Contemporary art denotes work created by 21st-century artists.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024In contemporary art, conceptual art is a movement that began in the 1960s. Artists producing conceptual art assign more importance to the idea behind the art than to the piece itself. An example is Joseph Kosuth’s One and Three Chairs, a piece consisting of a real chair, a photograph of a chair and the dictionary definition of the word chair. When the work was displayed, Kosuth included instructions for any chair to be photographed and then displayed beside its image. In this way, the chair itself is not the artwork. Rather, the art comes from examining the way the object, image and words provide competing and complementary definitions of what a chair is. Find a large selection of fine art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024The meaning of contemporary art is art produced by living artists. The category typically includes works created in the late 20th century as well as in the 21st century. Given its timeliness, contemporary art often responds to current issues and themes that are relevant to an everyday audience. Contemporary art succeeded modern art, which is art made during a period that began in approximately 1850. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of contemporary art.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Contemporary art encompasses painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance and video art, among other genres.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Contemporary art is important because of how it responds to the current moment. Contemporary art generally describes pieces created after 1970 or being made by living artists anywhere in the world. Through their works, contemporary artists provide commentary about social issues, history and the human condition. By engaging with contemporary art, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the world and new perspectives. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of contemporary art.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Contemporary art has no defining feature or characteristic.The term simply refers to recent creations.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024The difference between modern art and contemporary art comes down to age. Contemporary art refers to art produced by artists who are still alive or were active during the 1960s and later. Modern art is the term for artworks made between 1850 or 1860 and 1960. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of modern and contemporary art.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
The term contemporary is applied to art by 21st-century artists; modern art refers to works created from the1880s and through the 1960s.
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