The History of Contemporary Art: What You Need to Know

Published Categorized as Art Movements, Contemporary Art

The Truth About Contemporary Art

Contemporary art is the new art of the modern age, created in the past half-century or so, or at least that is what the critics have to say. Contemporary artists work within a technologically evolving, globally influenced, and culturally diverse world. The fact that many artists have had to overcome great adversity is one of the many reasons they have taken such an unconventional approach to creating the art they do. The first thing you need to know about contemporary art is that it is a form of art. This means that other people can view it outside of a specific art gallery. However, that is not to say that no rules govern how a piece of contemporary art should be considered. Most museums will have strict guidelines as to how a piece of art should be viewed. Many artists have found themselves banned from specific galleries or museums simply because of how their work has been considered.

white bust on brown stand

Contemporary Art Review

So when it comes to modern art, what you view may differ from what others view. As with any art form, the value and meaning of artwork are usually very subjective. As with any highly personal art, it is also tough to appraise contemporary art. While most critics agree on a basic framework that is used to determine whether a piece of art has artistic merit or is simply an expensive piece of junk, there is no way to determine the true worth of artwork without actually viewing it in person. This is why it is always best to take contemporary art with you to the art show you are attending.

With that said, contemporary art is a form of art that is continuously changing and evolving and extremely eclectic. This diversity has allowed many artists to make incredible art pieces in such a short amount of time. There are many contemporary art artists such as Salvador Dali, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Willem de Kooning, Francis Bacon, and others who are indeed some of the masters of modern art. Another thing that often helps make artwork so popular is that most people can afford it. Contemporary art can cost anywhere from tens of thousands of dollars to a few hundred dollars, depending on the artist and the piece of contemporary art that is being purchased.

abstract painting

In terms of contemporary art being made accessible to many people, it can be seen in many places, including museums, on television, in newspapers, magazines, and on billboards. There is even the possibility that contemporary art could become more mainstream and be seen in major shopping centers. But of course, if you look hard enough, you will find that contemporary art is also widely available online. The truth is that the only limit to the extent to which art will be accepted as art on a cultural level will always be the extent to which the artists choose to go. You might see a piece of art that is incredible, but it would still be difficult for someone to take it seriously as an art form. Because of that fact, it is wise for you to purchase only pieces of contemporary art that are works of art from highly respected artists.

Contemporary art piece

pile up of Campbell's tomato soup cans

One of the most popular contemporary art pieces available for sale is the work of Andy Warhol. Warhol’s work includes everything from the famous Warhol Portrait to the iconic Dog Print series. The first work is the infamous Dog Print, which was designed as part of the advertising campaign for the famous dog-training television show The Dog Whisperer. While it might not have much of a connection to contemporary art itself, the Dog Print is a perfect example of Warhol’s work as a commercial artist. It is interesting to note that while Warhol was able to sell his Dog Prints for millions of dollars, he was often ridiculed by the art world. Although many of his Warhol pieces were destroyed during the time he lived in his apartment, others have been sold at auction in large sums to collectors worldwide.

For the time being, it is safe to say that you should never judge art by its price. There are plenty of beautiful pieces of contemporary art available for any budget. However, if you want to get a piece that will have a long-lasting impact on your mind, it is wise always to take the time to see a bit of art in person.