The post-World War II era up till the present is usually regarded as the time period for contemporary art. It encompasses a wide variety of forms, genres, and aesthetic philosophies, making it challenging to fully understand. Today, we’ll break down 5 important contemporary works of art so you can completely comprehend this creative era.
1. Njideka Akunyuli Crosby, I Still Face You, 2015
Njideka Akunyili Crosby is a young and talented artist who combines her two cultural experiences in her vivid contemporary artworks. She was born and raised in Nigeria, immigrated to the United States at the age of 16, and currently resides and works in Los Angeles. Her deeply personal works combine her diverse cultural influences with more “traditional” acetone paints overlaid over intricate sets that frequently incorporate components from Nigerian folk culture.
2. Sophie Calle, Prenez soin de vous, 2007
Style: “JBW”
2007 saw the breakup of Sophie Calle’s relationship from her boyfriend through email, which was concluded with the advice to “take care of yourself.” Later, the artist gave 107 women, chosen for their level of professional experience, copies of this email and requested them to analyze it for him. Language criticism, legal research, dance interpretations, coding, and even a short video of a cockatoo gently devouring the printed note are some of the solutions. In this extraordinary investigation of connections and vulnerability, the various reactions are brought together.
3. Jeff Koons, Balloon Dogs, 1994
A former trader on Wall Street, Jeff Koons is a very divisive character in the art world. He has acknowledged that the only deeper purpose in his work is beyond aesthetic. Additionally, he doesn’t actually create his creations; rather, he employs a workshop to realize them. Due of these factors, many contest whether or not his creations can actually be classified as works of art. Undoubtedly the most iconic of his modern works are his metallic Balloon dogs.
4. Ai Weiwei, Remembering, 2009
This beautiful work was produced by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei as a tribute to the children who perished in the Sichuan province earthquake in 2008. The natural calamity was especially severe since it destroyed numerous schools. These were improperly built, and as a result, many children died. Nine thousand student bags comprise the substantial piece. The characters “she lived happily in this world for seven years” can be read by the onlooker. This sentence is a quote from a grieving mother about her lost child.
5. Banksy, Girl with Balloon, 2002
The Waterloo Bridge in London is where this famous street artist initially made his appearance, albeit it has since been painted over. This work has been used numerous times in support of different political campaigns, most notably the one for the 2014 Syrian refugee crisis. A mechanism that Banksy himself inserted in the frame allowed a framed replica of the artwork to spontaneously shred during a Sotheby’s auction in 2018. The shredded piece was given the new title “Love is in the Bin.” The buyer who had paid a record sum for the print made the decision to sell it.
