By definition, contemporary art is the art of today but many art historians consider art movements in the 1960s and 1970s as the start of modern art. Following is a list of the major contemporary art movements and key artists that represent that movement. Pop Art was pioneered by the likes of Andy Warhol and reborn as Neo-Pop Art in the 1980s by artist Jeff Koons. Photorealists like Chuck Close created hyper realistic drawings and paintings, often from photographs, while Conceptualists like Damien Hirst focused on the idea behind the artworks. Minimalists like Donald Judd offer a simple, abstract aesthetic that leaves the viewer to interpret what they see. Performance Artists, including Yoko Ono offer a drama-inspired way to convey a message or idea. Installation Artists like Dale Chihuly provide three-dimensional constructions that transform their surroundings. Similarly, Earth, or Land, Artists like Christo and Jeanne-Claude transform natural landscapes, while Street Art is rooted in social activism and graffiti art and was championed by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy.
Show more