When we say contemporary art we picture a vast variety of styles, genres and media adopted by artists today. Thanks to their predecessors who established different genres in the arts by taking the painting techniques and subjects to the next level, artists can now choose to paint in whatever style they want and in whichever style suits their artistic needs.
The variety has never been wider and the borders have never been narrower as to what is acceptable and what we call art today. Artists can paint in a traditional or impressionistic style yet incorporating mixed media and other modern techniques like dripping for example.
On the other side of the coin, technology allowed artists to experiment with computer generated images and create unique pieces that can stand the test of time just as any other traditional artwork. The technology will always move forward and what it is modern today, can become classic later on.
The good news about contemporary art is that it satisfies a wide range of preferences for both artists and collectors. Still life pieces in a traditional or modern style, abstract or realistic landscapes, figurative art that is true to the subject or surreal – it is all contemporary art as long as it is produced in our lifetime by living artists.
However, ever since 1910 when the term first appeared, the definition changed and was adapted to suit the present days, be that in the 1940’s, 1970’s or 2000’s. The word “contemporary” will always resonate with modern, even though from the art critics’ point of view they are two different things. But in the mean time, regardless of its exact definition, the art scene today is more inclusive than ever and artists are continuing to experiment with colours, techniques, styles and concepts to create that representative piece that will remain in the history of the arts.
