What is Contemporary Art? At first, the answer sounds simple: Art being made today. But Contemporary Art is much more varied than any earlier art period. There is no single Contemporary Art style.
Contemporary artists may create:
- paintings
- sculptures
- photographs
- videos
- installations
- digital art
- performance art
- public art
- textile art
- conceptual art
- immersive environments
Some contemporary artists paint realistically.
Others work abstractly.
Some create art from found objects.
Some use computers.
Some make artworks that fill entire rooms.
Some make works that exist only temporarily.
This makes Contemporary Art difficult to define by appearance alone.
Instead, Contemporary Art is often connected by a willingness to ask new questions:
What can art be?
What can art be made from?
Where can art exist?
What ideas can art explore?
In this guide, we’ll explore the meaning of Contemporary Art, major characteristics, important movements, famous contemporary artists, types of Contemporary Art, and picture study ideas you can use with children or students.
What Is Contemporary Art?
Contemporary Art generally refers to art created from approximately the 1970s to the present.
The exact starting date is debated.
Some museums and art historians use:
- 1960s
- 1970s
- late 20th century
as the beginning of Contemporary Art.
For our purposes, about 1970 to the present works well as a broad guideline.
Contemporary Art follows the modern art movements of the earlier 20th century.
But rather than replacing one movement with another, Contemporary Art contains many styles at the same time.
Today an artist might work in:
- realism
- abstraction
- sculpture
- video
- photography
- installation
- street art
- digital art
all during the same decade.
Modern Art vs. Contemporary Art
These terms are often confused.
They do not mean the same thing.
Modern Art
Modern Art generally refers to artistic developments from the late 19th century through roughly the mid-to-late 20th century.
Modern movements include:
- Impressionism
- Post-Impressionism
- Fauvism
- Expressionism
- Cubism
- Surrealism
- Abstract Expressionism
- Pop Art
Contemporary Art
Contemporary Art refers broadly to art made in the more recent period, generally from around 1970 to today.
A simple way to remember:
Modern Art is a historical period.
Contemporary Art is the art of our own era.
When Did Contemporary Art Begin?
There is no single moment when Modern Art ended and Contemporary Art began.
The transition happened gradually.
By the 1960s and 1970s, artists were increasingly working beyond traditional:
- painting
- sculpture
They explored:
- performance
- installations
- photography
- video
- conceptual ideas
- environmental art
Art could now be:
- an event
- an idea
- a temporary arrangement
- a room
- a photograph documenting something that no longer exists
This makes the late 1960s and 1970s a useful transition point.
Historical Background and Timeline of Contemporary Art
1960s: Art Expands Beyond Painting
Artists experiment with:
- Pop Art
- Minimalism
- Conceptual Art
- Performance Art
- Earth Art
Traditional boundaries begin to break down.
1970s: Conceptual Art Expands
Artists increasingly emphasize:
the idea behind the work
rather than only the finished object.
Photography, video, text, and performance become increasingly important.
1980s: Painting Returns Alongside New Media
Large expressive paintings become prominent again.
Street art and graffiti gain attention.
Artists increasingly examine:
- identity
- popular culture
- politics
- consumerism
1990s: Global Contemporary Art Expands
The international art world becomes increasingly interconnected.
Artists from many different countries and traditions gain greater visibility.
Installation, video, photography, and mixed media become common.
2000s: Digital Technology Changes Art
Artists begin using:
- digital photography
- animation
- projection
- software
- internet-based art
2010s–Present
Contemporary artists work across almost every imaginable medium.
Art may involve:
- artificial intelligence
- virtual reality
- immersive environments
- recycled materials
- public participation
- digital imagery
At the same time, traditional painting and sculpture remain very much alive.
Characteristics of Contemporary Art
Because contemporary artists work in so many different styles, there is no single list of visual characteristics.
Instead, several broader tendencies appear frequently.
1. Variety
Contemporary Art has no dominant style.
Artists may work:
- realistically
- abstractly
- conceptually
- digitally
2. Mixed Media
Artists often combine materials.
A single artwork might include:
- paint
- photographs
- fabric
- found objects
- video
- sound
3. Experimentation
Artists continue asking:
“What else can art be?”
4. Ideas Matter
In some Contemporary Art, the concept behind the artwork is as important as its appearance.
5. Everyday Materials
Artists may use:
- cardboard
- plastic
- clothing
- furniture
- trash
- lights
- household objects
6. Large Installations
An artwork might fill:
- a room
- a building
- a landscape
7. Technology
Artists may use:
- cameras
- video
- computers
- projections
- digital tools
8. Participation
Sometimes viewers become part of the artwork.
9. Global Perspectives
Contemporary Art includes artists from many:
- countries
- cultures
- traditions
10. Questions Over Answers
Many contemporary artworks are designed to make viewers think rather than simply admire technical skill.
What Is Conceptual Art?
Conceptual Art emphasizes the idea behind an artwork.
The artist may ask:
“What if the concept is more important than the object?”
A Conceptual artwork might consist of:
- written instructions
- photographs
- text
- an ordinary object
- documentation of an event
The artwork may not look traditionally beautiful.
That is often intentional.
The viewer is invited to think about the idea.
What Is Installation Art?
Installation Art transforms a space into an artwork.
Instead of hanging one painting on a wall, the artist may arrange:
- objects
- lights
- sound
- video
- fabric
- sculpture
throughout an entire room.
The viewer may walk:
- around
- through
- inside
the work.
This changes art from something we simply look at into something we experience physically.
What Is Performance Art?
Performance Art uses actions as the artistic medium.
Instead of creating an object, the artist creates an event.
The artwork may involve:
- movement
- speech
- gesture
- repeated actions
- interaction with an audience
Performance Art can be temporary.
What remains afterward may be:
- photographs
- video
- written descriptions
What Is Land Art?
Land Art, sometimes called Earth Art, uses the natural landscape itself.
Artists may work with:
- earth
- rocks
- sand
- water
- plants
Some Land Art exists far from museums.
One of the best-known artists associated with Land Art is:
Robert Smithson
His famous work:
Spiral Jetty
extends into the Great Salt Lake in Utah.
What Is Street Art?
Street Art appears in public spaces.
It may include:
- murals
- stencils
- posters
- large-scale paintings
- installations
Street Art often responds directly to:
- neighborhood
- community
- politics
- popular culture
Artists such as Banksy helped bring Street Art into mainstream art discussions, although the relationship between unauthorized graffiti, murals, and gallery art is complex.
What Is Digital Art?
Digital Art uses digital technology as part of the creative process.
Artists may create:
- digital paintings
- animations
- photographs
- interactive works
- projections
- virtual environments
The computer may function as:
- canvas
- brush
- camera
- editing studio
Digital tools have dramatically expanded what artists can create.
Contemporary Painting
Painting did not disappear when artists began experimenting with new media.
Contemporary painters continue working in:
- realism
- abstraction
- portraiture
- landscape
- geometric painting
- expressive painting
Some combine historical painting traditions with modern ideas.
Others revisit older styles from completely new perspectives.
Contemporary Sculpture
Contemporary sculpture can be made from almost anything.
Artists may use:
- bronze
- steel
- wood
- glass
- fabric
- plastic
- recycled materials
- everyday objects
Sculptures can be:
- tiny
- monumental
- permanent
- temporary
Yayoi Kusama
Yayoi Kusama is one of the most recognizable contemporary artists.
She is known for:
- dots
- repeated patterns
- pumpkins
- mirrors
- immersive installations
Her famous Infinity Mirror Rooms use mirrors and lights to create the illusion of endless space.
Kusama’s work is excellent for discussing:
- repetition
- pattern
- scale
- installation
- visual experience
David Hockney
David Hockney has worked across:
painting
- drawing
- photography
- printmaking
- digital art
His subjects include:
- landscapes
- portraits
- swimming pools
- interiors
Hockney continually experiments with new ways of representing space and perception.
Later in his career, he created drawings and paintings using digital devices.
His work demonstrates something important about Contemporary Art:
New technology does not necessarily replace traditional art—it can become another artistic tool.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat emerged from the New York art scene during the late 1970s and 1980s.
His paintings combine:
- words
- symbols
- figures
- diagrams
- crowns
- expressive marks
His work addresses themes including:
- history
- race
- identity
- power
- popular culture
Some works contain mature imagery or language and should be previewed before using with children.
Keith Haring
Keith Haring developed an instantly recognizable visual language using:
- simplified figures
- bold outlines
- repeated symbols
- energetic movement
He began creating drawings in New York subway stations.
His figures:
- dance
- crawl
- jump
- radiate energy
Haring’s work became closely connected with public art and social activism.
Many of his images are highly accessible to children, although his full body of work includes mature themes and should be previewed.
Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold was an American artist, author, and storyteller.
She became famous for her story quilts, which combine:
- painting
- textiles
- written narrative
Her work frequently explores:
- family
- history
- memory
- African American life
Her children’s book Tar Beach grew from one of her story quilts.
Ringgold is especially valuable for connecting:
- Contemporary Art
- Folk Art traditions
- storytelling
- textile art
Alma Thomas
Alma Thomas created joyful abstract paintings made from repeated marks of brilliant color.
Although she began painting professionally much earlier, her mature work gained major recognition during the later 20th century and continues to influence contemporary artists.
Her paintings were inspired by:
- gardens
- nature
- space exploration
- color
Thomas is particularly approachable for children because her work invites exploration of:
- repetition
- color
- rhythm
- pattern
Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly transformed contemporary glass art.
His installations often feature enormous arrangements of brightly colored glass forms.
They may resemble:
- flowers
- sea creatures
- vines
- shells
His work can fill:
- ceilings
- gardens
- museums
- architectural spaces
Chihuly demonstrates how an artist can transform a traditional craft medium into monumental installation art.
Andy Goldsworthy
Andy Goldsworthy creates temporary artworks using natural materials.
He works with:
- leaves
- stones
- ice
- sticks
- snow
- flowers
His artworks often exist only briefly.
Wind may scatter them.
Ice may melt.
Water may wash them away.
Photography preserves the work after the original disappears.
Goldsworthy is wonderful for helping children understand:
- Land Art
- temporary art
- pattern
- nature
- observation
Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Christo and Jeanne-Claude created enormous temporary installations that transformed familiar landscapes and buildings.
Their projects included:
- wrapping buildings
- surrounding islands with fabric
- installing gates through Central Park
Their works required:
- planning
- engineering
- collaboration
- temporary transformation of public space
Their art asks:
“What happens when we temporarily change the way people see a familiar place?”
Kara Walker
Kara Walker is known especially for large-scale silhouette installations.
Her work addresses difficult subjects including:
- slavery
- race
- violence
- American history
Although she is an important contemporary artist, much of her work contains mature and disturbing material.
Her work is generally better suited to carefully selected study with older students.
Ai Weiwei
Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei works across:
- sculpture
- installation
- photography
- architecture
- film
His work often examines:
- power
- cultural heritage
- freedom
- government
- human rights
He sometimes uses familiar traditional objects in unexpected ways.
His art demonstrates how Contemporary Art can function as cultural or political commentary.
Jeff Koons
Jeff Koons creates highly polished sculptures inspired by:
- toys
- balloons
- consumer objects
- popular culture
His famous balloon-animal sculptures appear playful and familiar but are produced on a monumental scale.
His work raises questions about:
- taste
- consumer culture
- craftsmanship
- popular imagery
Some of Koons’s body of work contains explicit adult content, so selections should be carefully previewed.
Contemporary Art and Traditional Craft
One of the most exciting changes in contemporary art is the growing recognition of media once separated from “fine art.”
Contemporary artists increasingly work seriously with:
- quilts
- ceramics
- embroidery
- weaving
- glass
- fiber
- woodworking
The old boundary between:
art
and
craft
has become increasingly porous.
This connects Contemporary Art beautifully with earlier Folk Art traditions.
Contemporary Art and Photography
Photography is now firmly established as an art form.
Contemporary photographers may:
- document real life
- stage elaborate scenes
- alter images digitally
- explore identity
- photograph landscapes
- create conceptual series
Photography is no longer simply a tool for recording reality.
It can be used to interpret it.
Contemporary Art and Technology
Technology continues to change how artists work.
Contemporary artists may use:
- digital drawing
- photography
- animation
- projection
- video
- 3D printing
- virtual reality
- interactive technology
- generative systems
But this does not mean older methods disappear.
A contemporary artist may use:
oil paint one day and a computer the next.
The medium is chosen according to what the artist wants to communicate.
Contemporary Art vs. Modern Art
This is one of the most common art-history questions.
Modern Art
Usually refers to approximately:
late 1800s through the mid-to-late 1900s
and includes movements such as:
- Impressionism
- Cubism
- Surrealism
- Abstract Expressionism
Contemporary Art
Generally refers to:
approximately 1970 to the present
and includes many styles and media simultaneously.
A simple memory trick:
Modern Art sounds current—but it’s actually historical.
Contemporary Art is closer to our own time.
Contemporary Art vs. Pop Art
Pop Art is generally considered a late Modern Art movement.
It emerged during the 1950s and 1960s.
Contemporary artists inherited many Pop Art ideas, including interest in:
- advertising
- consumer products
- celebrities
- mass media
But Contemporary Art covers a far broader range of artistic practices.
Contemporary Art vs. Abstract Art
These terms describe different things.
Abstract Art
Describes a way an artwork looks.
It may reduce or eliminate recognizable objects.
Contemporary Art
Describes a broad historical period.
Contemporary Art can be:
- abstract
- realistic
- conceptual
- photographic
- sculptural
So:
Some Contemporary Art is abstract.
Not all Contemporary Art is abstract.
Famous Contemporary Artworks & Projects
Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms
Mirrors and lights create seemingly endless space.
Ask:
- Where does the artwork end?
- Does the viewer become part of the artwork?
- Would seeing this in a photograph feel the same as standing inside it?
Andy Goldsworthy’s Natural Installations
Goldsworthy arranges:
- leaves
- stones
- ice
- branches
into temporary patterns.
Ask:
“Does an artwork have to last forever?”
Faith Ringgold’s Story Quilts
Ringgold combines:
- image
- fabric
- text
- storytelling
Ask:
“Can a quilt tell a story the way a painting or book can?”
Dale Chihuly’s Glass Installations
Colorful glass forms transform architectural spaces.
Ask:
“How does the room become part of the artwork?”
Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Environmental Projects
Temporary installations transform familiar places.
Ask:
“Does changing a place temporarily help us notice it differently?”
Contemporary Art Picture Study Suggestions
Because Contemporary Art includes many media, picture study can expand beyond paintings.
Yayoi Kusama Study
Try:
- pumpkin sculptures
- dot paintings
- Infinity Room photographs
- repeated pattern works
Look for:
- repetition
- scale
- reflection
- pattern
Faith Ringgold Study
Choose several family-friendly story quilts.
Look for:
- borders
- storytelling
- text
- fabric
- repeated motifs
Alma Thomas Study
Choose several abstract color works.
Look for:
- repeated marks
- rhythm
- color relationships
- movement
David Hockney Study
Compare:
- paintings
- drawings
- photographs
- digital landscapes
Ask:
“How does the artist’s style change when the tool changes?”
Andy Goldsworthy Study
Compare works created from:
- leaves
- stone
- snow
- ice
- branches
Ask:
“Which part of nature did the artist change, and which part did he leave alone?”
Dale Chihuly Study
Look at several installations.
Notice:
- color
- transparency
- organic forms
- repetition
- scale
How to Do a Simple Contemporary Art Picture Study
Traditional picture study still works beautifully.
Choose an artwork.
Allow your child to look quietly.
Then remove the image.
Ask:
“What do you remember?”
But Contemporary Art also gives us new questions.
Ask:
- What is this artwork made from?
- Is it a painting, sculpture, photograph, installation, or something else?
- Where is it meant to be seen?
- Could you walk around it?
- Could you walk through it?
- Is it permanent?
- Does the viewer participate?
- Is the idea important?
- Why do you think the artist chose these materials?
- What question might the artist be asking?
One particularly helpful question is:
“Why did the artist make it this way instead of making a traditional painting?”
How to Recognize Contemporary Art
There is no single visual clue.
Instead, look for:
Unusual materials. The artwork may use unexpected objects.
Mixed media. Several media may appear together.
Installation. The entire space may become part of the artwork.
Technology. Video, projection, or digital imagery may be involved.
Concept. The idea may be especially important.
Participation. The viewer may interact with the work.
Contemporary subjects. Artists may explore issues and experiences from modern life.
But remember:
A contemporary artist can also simply paint a beautiful landscape.
Contemporary Art is defined more by when and within what context it is being made than by one particular look.
Easy Contemporary Art Activities for Students
Create a Found-Object Sculpture
Collect clean everyday materials such as:
- cardboard
- containers
- bottle caps
- packaging
Combine them into a sculpture.
Then give the work a title.
Make a Kusama-Inspired Pattern
Choose one simple shape.
Repeat it until it completely transforms a surface.
Create an Andy Goldsworthy-Inspired Nature Artwork
Use fallen:
- leaves
- stones
- sticks
- flowers
to create a temporary design outdoors.
Photograph it before leaving the materials in nature.
Make a Story Quilt on Paper
Divide a page into:
- central image
- decorative border
- written story
Combine image and text.
Design an Installation
Choose one room.
Sketch an artwork that would transform the entire space.
Consider:
- walls
- ceiling
- floor
- lighting
Turn Trash Into Art
Choose clean recycled materials.
Ask:
“How can I transform something people normally throw away?”
Create Digital Art
Use a simple drawing or photography program to explore:
- layering
- cropping
- repetition
- color adjustment
Then compare the process with drawing by hand.
Make Temporary Art
Create an artwork intended to last only:
- one hour
- one day
- until the wind changes it
Photograph it.
Discuss:
“Does an artwork have to survive in order to matter?”
Frequently Asked Questions About Contemporary Art
What is Contemporary Art?
Contemporary Art generally refers to art created from around the 1970s to the present.
It includes many styles, media, and approaches.
When did Contemporary Art begin?
There is no universally agreed starting date.
Approximately 1970 to the present is a useful broad range.
What are the characteristics of Contemporary Art?
Common characteristics include:
- experimentation
- mixed media
- technology
- installation
- conceptual ideas
- global influences
- unusual materials
However, Contemporary Art has no single style.
What is the difference between Modern Art and Contemporary Art?
Modern Art refers to a historical period that includes movements such as Impressionism, Cubism, and Abstract Expressionism.
Contemporary Art refers broadly to art made in our more recent era.
Does Contemporary Art have to be abstract?
No.
Contemporary artists may work in:
- realism
- abstraction
- photography
- sculpture
- installation
- digital art
Is digital art Contemporary Art?
Yes.
Digital Art is one form of Contemporary Art.
What is Installation Art?
Installation Art transforms an entire space into an artwork.
The viewer may walk through or around it.
What is Conceptual Art?
Conceptual Art emphasizes the idea behind an artwork.
The idea may be more important than creating a beautiful traditional object.
What is Performance Art?
Performance Art uses actions or events as the artistic medium.
What is Land Art?
Land Art uses natural landscapes and materials such as:
- earth
- rock
- water
- plants
Who are famous contemporary artists?
Important contemporary artists include:
- Yayoi Kusama
- David Hockney
- Faith Ringgold
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Keith Haring
- Ai Weiwei
- Jeff Koons
- Kara Walker
- Dale Chihuly
- Andy Goldsworthy
Many other important artists could also be included because Contemporary Art is vast and global.
Who are good contemporary artists for children to study?
Excellent starting points include:
- Yayoi Kusama
- Faith Ringgold
- Alma Thomas
- David Hockney
- Andy Goldsworthy
- Dale Chihuly
- selected Keith Haring works
These artists provide accessible ways to explore:
- pattern
- color
- nature
- storytelling
- sculpture
- installation
- experimentation
Is all Contemporary Art difficult to understand?
No.
Some Contemporary Art is highly conceptual.
Other works are immediately approachable.
The key is not always to ask:
“Do I like it?”
Begin instead with:
“What do I notice?”
and:
“Why might the artist have made this choice?”
How to Talk About Contemporary Art With Children
Contemporary Art can be intimidating because adults sometimes feel they must know what the artwork “means.”
You don’t.
Begin with observation.
Ask:
“What do you notice?”
Then:
“What makes you say that?”
Ask about:
- color
- materials
- size
- location
- texture
- repetition
- movement
Then move toward interpretation:
“Why do you think the artist chose this material?”
“Why might this be enormous?”
“Why might it be temporary?”
“Why might the artist want us to walk through it?”
This gives children permission to investigate rather than hunt for one correct answer.
Art Is Still Being Written
When we study Renaissance Art, the story has already happened.
We know which artists became famous.
We know which paintings survived.
We know which ideas influenced future generations.
Contemporary Art is different.
We are living inside this chapter of art history.
Artists working today are experimenting with painting, fiber, glass, photography, video, technology, found objects, natural materials, and things earlier generations could never have imagined.
Some of today’s artists will eventually become central figures in art-history books. Others may be forgotten. We don’t yet know. And that makes Contemporary Art fascinating. For children, it carries an especially exciting message: Art history isn’t over. There isn’t a final movement at the end of the timeline.
People are still: experimenting, questioning, painting, building, drawing, weaving, photographing, inventing, and creating.
And perhaps the most interesting question at the end of an entire art-history study is not: “What came next?”
It is: “What will artists do next?”
Better yet: “What will you create?”
