Contemporary art in painting is a field for experimentation, where artists boldly push the boundaries of traditional ideas about form, color and content. The bold paintings produced in this direction challenge established norms and offer new ways of perceiving the world around us; Modern artists are not afraid to use unexpected materials, unexpected techniques and unusual compositions to express their ideas and emotions. In modern paintings – artists show a desire to explore such important topics as social, political, and intimate aspects of a person; making them not only objects for their paintings, but also becoming powerful tools for dialogue with society and conveying the information agenda.

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Before we move on to the analysis and definition of modern art, we will look at examples of famous artists in order to actually see how “graceful” and “beautiful” paintings can be.

The first painting from this list is from the artist “Bhishma” Konsta G. Amelinn – this work belongs to surrealism and symbolism; surrealism is expressed in an unrealistic and somewhat absurd depiction of a figure, as well as in the use of symbolic elements, such as rods, which can be a metaphor for psychological and emotional barriers; symbolism is seen in the use of color and shapes to convey deeper and more abstract ideas such as suffering and isolation. The artist’s painting depicts the figure of a man in blue, lying in a strange position, as if his body was pierced by many thin sticks or rods; The overall atmosphere of the painting is dark, depressing, with a background that is painted in deep reds and blacks – heightens the sense of tension and drama in the scene.

In my opinion, an oil painting can symbolize pain, suffering or internal struggle; the figure of a man nailed to a place (with bars) piercing his body – reflects a feeling of helplessness, depression and even victimhood. The color blue – traditionally associated with coldness and aloofness – enhances feelings of loneliness and suffering; the yellow fabric on the figure symbolizes weak hope and the remnant of human warmth in this cold and harsh environment. Paying attention to an interesting detail – the use of color to convey an emotional state, a person must feel and grasp the atmosphere of the painting. It is quite remarkable how the artist used the contrast between the cool blue hues of the figure and the warm but unsettling red background to create a sense of internal conflict and tension. It is also important to emphasize that the bars (piercing the body) appear unnatural and almost like a part of the body itself – this suggests that it may symbolize that these “wounds” or “barriers” come from within the person himself.

The second painting from the artist “Rather it would be spring” Oleg Kateryniuk – the work belongs to neo-symbolism and neo-expressionism; traceable features of neo-symbolism, where an important role is played by the symbols and mood of the painting, which are transmitted through deep inner experiences; The influence of neo-expressionism is also noticeable in such features as expressed in the emotional intensity and drama of the image. The artist’s oil painting depicts a bare-chested man against the backdrop of a gloomy, wintry, rural landscape; the man’s facial expression is serious and tense – creates a feeling of anxiety and internal conflict; the background is rendered in muted gray-pink tones, enhancing the already tense scene with a feeling of detachment and coldness of what is happening.

In my opinion, the artist’s oil painting wants to convey a reflection of the internal struggle; as well as loneliness and a sense of alienation – the gloomy color palette and facial expression of the main character conveys a sense of emotional tension, and perhaps despair. And the man, who is depicted against the backdrop of a rural landscape, only emphasizes his connection with nature and his native places, and at the same time his isolation from the outside world is conveyed. An interesting detail is the composition of the painting: although the man occupies a central place, his position is slightly shifted to the right – this creates a feeling of imbalance. As was said earlier for isolation from the outside world, this shift emphasizes his internal state – that it is as if he “fell out” of the world and does not find a place for himself in it due to the tragedy that has befallen him.

Let’s look at another painting from the artist “Double senses” Oleg Kateryniuk – this time his work belongs to minimalism and surrealism; minimalism is manifested in simplicity and purity of form, emphasis on the main object and the absence of unnecessary details; elements of surrealism are present in the artist’s conceptual approach to the image, where every detail has a symbolic meaning and can be interpreted in many ways. The artist’s painting depicts two figures of a woman who are sitting opposite each other and with a plant between them; The composition is made in a minimalist style using neutral tones and simple lines. The artist depicted the figures of women in his painting as identical as possible (even though in one the eyes are closed and in the other they are open) – this does not interfere with the feeling that we have symmetrical figures depicted in front of us and give the effect of balance in the composition.

The artist’s oil painting symbolizes an internal dialogue and reflection of two sides of one personality – two identical figures are interpreted as different aspects of the same person – a reflection of the conflict within oneself and the search for harmony. The plant that is located between them – refers to growth, development, which separates and at the same time unites these two sides – symmetry emphasizes how important it is to maintain balance and equilibrium within oneself. Paying attention to such an interesting detail as the light yellow rectangle in the background, which seems to separate or highlight the central plant – this element gives the painting an additional dimension; it can be interpreted as a symbol of a window or portal – hinting at a certain border between two worlds, or in this case, two states of consciousness of one person.

What is Contemporary Art?

The art of painting is developing at a rapid pace, and first you need to determine what period modern painting occupies – these are paintings painted from the end of the 19th century to the present day. How the term “contemporary” was used to describe this new art form that departed from traditional techniques and styles, and aimed to challenge conventional norms and embrace new ideas and ways of creating; Simply put, contemporary art is a movement that embraces a wide range of styles, techniques and ideas that reflect the spirit of our time; it strives for freedom of expression and often violates the canons established in the past. In contemporary art, artists experiment with new materials, mix different genres and forms, and create works that provoke, inspire and make people think – this is art that is highly social, multi-layered and deep, addressing relevant topics and problems facing the world today.

For example, consider a modern painting from the artist “Dive” Igor Konovalov – it belongs to surrealism or pop art; and the manifestation of surrealism occurs in the absurdity of the scene and its illogicality, where each elements taken from different contexts are combined in one painting to create a new meaning; elements of pop art are conveyed in the bright and almost cartoonish images of animals that fly in the air, as well as in a light and ironic approach to everyday life. The artist’s painting shows two people in bed, lying under the covers, but both wearing snorkel masks; The room’s furnishings, soft colors and realistic depiction of details create a contrast with the absurdity of the situation, where elements familiar to one environment (water) appear in a completely different one (the bedroom).

As you can see, a modern painting by the artist Igor Konovalov uses elements of absurd humor or a satire on the modern world in the context of some event. The use of scuba diving masks in the bedroom symbolizes the desire of these people to protect themselves from something that is perceived as a threat or simply an attempt to escape from reality into their own world where they feel safe and comfortable. This surreal approach in the artist’s painting allows us to think about the interaction between reality and fantasy, and how people can quickly adapt to stressful situations or look for ways to escape from them, such as through those masks that are drawn in a couple of people. Perhaps this painting is an allusion to the covid period, when there was an epidemic all over the world and people protected themselves through masks and respirators.

The thought immediately comes to mind, what is the defining feature of modern painting? In answering the question, first of all you need to realize that contemporary art of painting is a constantly developing field that reflects the current state of society, culture and technology; and its defining feature is its diversity and inclusiveness. As can be seen in the examples given, contemporary art covers a wide range of styles and is characterized by an emphasis on innovation, experimentation in its work, and the use of new technologies or means of applying paint to canvas. Contemporary artists come from different walks of life and draw inspiration from a variety of sources, such as courses, searching for information and references on the Internet, as well as including their own experiences and all this is summarized through cultural traditions and global events in the world. This diversity is reflected in the large number of styles and movements that are used in contemporary painting, and artists must find and come up with experimental approaches not only for their paintings, but also for installation, performance and digital media, like social networks, to promote their own work. Thus, social networks are a starting point for discussion not only of the paintings themselves, but also a way to determine what topic is becoming relevant for artists to display in their works. As an example, consider a situation where the artist depicted social norms or the dynamics of power and current events, and before bringing the painting to the final result, it is posted on social networks for discussion, thereby determining the activity of viewers on this topic. So it turns out that they use a modern approach to the implementation of their paintings.

Modern Contemporary Art: Boundaries

The boundaries of modern painting are constantly being blurred and rethought, so one way to approach them is to consider the characteristics that distinguish it from other forms of painting. In space, traditional techniques and genres are intertwined with innovative ideas that create unique works and reflect the complexity of our times, for example, contemporary art often reflects the current cultural and political climate. Another way to define the boundaries of modern art is to consider the various art movements that have emerged in the last few decades, for example, movements such as geometric abstraction or constructivism – bring uniqueness to modern paintings.

Let’s look at a similar painting and make an analysis, for example, the modern artist in her painting “Shattered grayness” Valeria Sign depicted geometric abstraction and constructivism. Geometric abstraction is expressed through the use of simple shapes and lines to create visual tension and structure; Constructivism is manifested in the use of intersecting lines and strictly ordered composition, where each line and shape has its own place and meaning. A modern painting is a composition consisting of intersecting colored lines (blue and black) that intersect against a gradient background, moving from green at the top to yellow-orange and red at the bottom; There are also many small triangles in the painting, which create the effect of a mosaic or scattering small fragments.

Although the painting is made in the style of abstraction, it conveys tension, conflict or movement, so intersecting lines create a feeling of intersection of paths – the interaction of different ideas. The gradient from green to red symbolizes the transition from peace and harmony to conflict and tension; fragments that seem to hang in the air – symbolize sudden changes or internal struggle, which can also be relevant for processes caused by transformation and adaptation to new conditions, be it in business or in personal life.

As you can see, in modern painting the art has a large base from various directions, styles, and genres; Ultimately, the boundaries are constantly changing and evolving as artists continue to evolve in different directions and combine more and more new styles to realize their paintings. Considering a modern painting, it will be difficult to determine a specific set of characteristics that define modern art; however, if you take into account the themes and styles that predominate in the painting, and also take into account the cultural and historical context in which it is created, you can understand the very boundaries that will indicate in reality that this is contemporary art.

Contemporary Art Examples: Greatness From Artists

When we have decided on the boundaries of modern art, it’s time to move on to famous artists who reveal the themes and culture of modern society in their paintings.

The first painting on this list is from the contemporary artist “Conspiracy of friends” Yulia Lihina – her work is made in a realistic style with elements of cinematic realism. Realism is manifested in the accuracy and detail of the painting, which allows the viewer to easily identify the scene and characters; cinematic realism, in turn, is manifested in the artist’s ability to convey the atmosphere and emotional state of the characters, as was intended in the original film. The artist skillfully depicts a scene from the film “The Shawshank Redemption” in her painting, where the two main characters, Andy Dufresne and Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding, play checkers on the prison grounds; the composition is made realistically and resembles as if in front of you is a still from a film and such careful elaboration of details, as well as the color scheme, only enhances this effect.

A contemporary oil painting by the artist Yulia Lihina conveys one of the important moments of the film and depicts the emergence of friendship between the two heroes, and, despite the current situation and the difficult conditions of prison life, they continue to live and relax. So, through the game of checkers, which symbolizes strategic thinking, patience and the ability to find a way out of a seemingly hopeless situation and all the more gives meaning due to the fact that the main characters are in prison. Also, the scene of the painting shows a moment of calm and reflection against the backdrop of harsh reality – this emphasizes the contrast between the inner world of the characters and their surroundings; and the artist has paid careful attention to details, such as poses and facial expressions, that help convey the depth of their relationship and state of mind.

The next painting from an artist who was already discussed at the very beginning is “Hookah smoker Cairo” by Oleg Kateryniuk – his work belongs to realism with elements of social realism. Realism is manifested in accuracy and attention to detail, conveying a naturalistic image of character and setting; and elements of social realism can be expressed through the rendering of an everyday scene that is associated with traditions and culture, which allows the viewer to think about the life and state of mind of the person depicted in the painting. The artist depicts an elderly man sitting on a wooden bench and smoking a hookah; The furnishings are made in warm colors and with a yellow background, which creates an atmosphere of calm and comfort. The figure of a man occupies – a central place in the painting, and his pose and facial expression convey that same feeling of relaxation and satisfaction from smoking a hookah.

Compared to other paintings by this artist that we have previously examined, this one is calm and symbolizes a moment of rest, reflection and solitude; as in modern society – smoking a hookah is traditionally associated with relaxation, but the character is alone, which may indicate that he is absorbed in his own thoughts. An interesting detail is the use of shadow on the wall behind the man; the shadow cast by the hookah and the cup adds depth and volume to the scenes, making it more alive or something. How could anyone notice how skillfully Oleg Kateryniuk paints his paintings, from intense to calming, like this one. Contemporary art has a certain advantage in this, when the artist does not have certain classical canons and has a field for experimentation.

The next modern painting from the artist “Lodge” Anatoly Varvarov  – the work relates to surrealism and its manifestation in an illogical, illogical image of real objects (a house of cards) in an unexpected environment (hanging in the air against the sky); visual play with reality and its boundaries is characteristic of this movement, which seeks to take the viewer beyond the usual perception of the real world. The cards that make up the house are in an unnatural position, and at the same time, some of the cards seem to be already opening up from the main structure, and creates a feeling of instability and fragility.

Starting to dig in more detail about the meaning of the picture, as it was said – the fragility of human constructions, both literal and metaphorical; a house of cards is traditionally associated with something temporary, unreliable, and easily destroyed. In this case, this perception is enhanced by the fact that the house hangs in the air, emphasizing its instability and inevitable destruction; the contemporary painting conveys a metaphor for illusory dreams, unfulfilled plans or the fragility of life in general. Also, an interesting detail is the choice of subject and background for it; if a house of cards refers to chaos and instability, then a clear sky, on the contrary, refers to calm and harmony – this only adds drama to the painting and enhances its symbolic meaning. The contrast between the object and the background makes you think that instability and uncertainty may be hidden behind the external calm.

So we have looked at several modern paintings from the world of painting art, and let’s draw this conclusion and what is the meaning of contemporary art.

Contemporary Art Meaning: Conclusions

The meaning of modern art lies in its versatility and can vary depending on the individual artist and his motives in the painting – touching on socially important themes and expressing his own ideas. Considering how many artists there are around the world, it would be difficult to say what exact purpose they are looking for when painting in a modern direction, but one thing is clear – they all challenge traditional forms of painting and their conventions; as well as exploring new media and methods is a way of pushing the boundaries of what is considered art and challenging the stated canon.

Contemporary art in painting differs from traditional art in that it strives to break down the boundaries between art and reality – this is due to the part where artists begin to experiment with new materials, techniques and ideas for their paintings. When working on their painting, artists have to think outside the box and use modern themes to convey the desired message to the social stratum. Contemporary artists often turn to such current topics as:

1) ecology

2) politics

3) social justice

4) identity

5) technology

Aiming to provoke in the viewer not only an aesthetic response, but also deep reflection on the issues that the artists raise; using non-standard materials, such as:

1) digital technologies

2) installations

3) performances

4) mixed honey

Artists are blurring the boundaries between painting and other forms of art – creating new ways of interacting with reality – this approach allows contemporary art to be not only a reflection of the world, but also an active participant in changing it; the works of such artists often provoke discussions and encourage the viewer to think about how art can influence public consciousness and form new views on the surrounding reality. Artists do not simply create works to be contemplated – they invite the viewer to dialogue and interaction, where everyone can find their own meaning and perceive the painting through the prism of their own experience and beliefs.

So we come to the main answer, which stretches throughout the entire article – contemporary art is becoming a tool for transforming the perception of reality, forcing the viewer to think about what art really is and what role it plays in our modern society. Artists strive to show in their works that art – is something more than just beautiful images on canvases that cover the aesthetic side of human needs; we must remember that art – is a powerful way of expressing ideas and feelings that can change the world and our perception of it.

All examples of photographs and artists are kindly provided by the Ukrainian Vintage Co.