Art is the deliberate use of colors, forms, sounds, and other elements in a manner that appeals to the senses or emotions. The word “art” is often used to refer to works of visual art, such as paintings, sculptures, and drawings. However, art is also present in other forms such as dance, music, and narrative storytelling. As an art student or a person who greatly values any art piece, you will learn the underlying principles that govern the creation and appreciation of visual art and learn how to use these principles to create your original works of art. And now, with the digitalization of the era, you can see the art adapting to newer trends in the form of Video art. Such art can depict hyper-realistic landscapes of clouds, cities, meadows, etc., while also incorporating contemporary themes.

What Is Contemporary Art?

Contemporary art is defined as art developed between the 1960s and the current day. The phrase is often used to describe a realistic reflection of our lives, and while it gives a visceral glimpse into our reality, it can be rather ambiguous. It essentially relates to art made now and its historical background. While some pieces are made in studios like the ahmad shariff art gallery, they may also be made in public areas. As a result, a variety of fascinating and inventive mediums, such as video art, performance art, and street art, have emerged. Now, there is much variety in niche, with many artists developing their own unique styles which reflect their thoughts and views on the world around them.

Contemporary Art in Action

Contemporary art is the type of art made in the Western world by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat that deviates from and challenges convention. It crosses boundaries, defies traditions, and pushes the limits of the ordinary and the expected. The creations of contemporary artists are showcased in museums, galleries, and public spaces all over the world. Many of these public art installations are designed to make viewers question their surroundings, to see things differently, to take a moment just to stop and look around. We’ve made a list of some of the world’s famous contemporary artists and their most interesting public art installations to show you what we mean:

• Damien Hirst’s “Spot Painting” – The term “spot painting” was coined by Damien Hirst and first shown in the spin-off exhibition of the 1990 Freeze exhibition where Hirst first showed his dot and spin paintings. In 2011, Damien Hirst created a new series of spot paintings, which are 60-foot-long, single-stroke geometric shapes, colored in vibrant shades of green, yellow, and orange.
• Banksy, “Girl with Balloon” – Banksy (whose real name is not known) is a graffiti artist from England who has become known for producing satirical street art. The Girl with Balloon is a stencil that depicts a young female member of the Occupy London protest, holding a red heart-shaped balloon. It is one of Banksy’s most iconic works and has been voted as the “most Iconic piece of street art in Britain” by Channel 4, and has sold for as high as $1.8 million at auction.
• Ai Weiwei, “Remembering” – one of the most internationally renowned artists of our time, with a career including installations, performance, social activism, and more. His work is not afraid to take a stand in the face of injustice, and even if you don’t agree with the message, his art is a fascinating look into how one man harnesses his power and celebrity to speak truth to power. His famous work entitled “Remembering” was created to pay homage to those young victims of the earthquake in Sichuan province.
• Yayoi Kusama, “Infinity Mirror Room” – is one of the most famous living Japanese artists, but it’s the immersive installations she’s known for that have drawn the most attention. For example, her “Infinity Mirror Rooms” recreate an infinity-like effect by surrounding the viewer with mirrors and LED lights, transporting them to another dimension. The heart of the piece is the central room, which is covered in mirrors on all sides so that when one steps inside it, the interior and exterior merge. The room also houses sculptures of flowers, which play a part in the exhibit.
• Jeff Koons, “Balloon Dogs” – The Balloon Dog (Orange) is a huge balloon sculpture that artist Jeff Koons has made of a black balloon inflated to monumental scale, a companion piece to his iconic sculpture of two black balloons inflated to monumental scale. The sculpture is 9 feet tall, or over 8 feet tall if you look at it from the right angle, and it is made of black Mylar, a type of plastic that is commonly used in balloons. From his collection of inflatables, Koons chose the balloon, which evoked the memory of how his dog looked at the moment of its death.

At first, contemporary art may seem intimidating, but it’s very enjoyable to explore, and there are plenty of ways to do it. Some people prefer to enjoy art in galleries, but there are a growing number of other options to choose from. You can now find the art in the most unexpected places.