21 Powerful Art Movements of the 20th & 21st Century

With growing trade, communication and later the birth of the internet, there’s never been a better time for both the play and exploration of art. But what are these new play fields? Does Futurism have similarities to Cubism? This breakdown of twenty-one powerful art movements will explore the characteristics, and artists of the 20^th and 21^st century. Leaving you to be inspired and fascinated.

Our 21 movements are:
Fauvism
Bengal School of Art
Art Nouveau
Expressionism
Cubism
Futurism
Dada
Suprematism
Constructivism
Social Realism
Surrealism
Abstract Expressionism
Hurufiyya
Pop Art
Conceptualism
Performance Art
Installation Art
Minimalism
Urban Art
Cynical Realism
Superflat

1900-1910 Fauvism

Although often used to describe an artist’s style, fauve actually referred to a small group of artists in France between 1900 to 1910. The term originating from Les Fauves (the wild beasts) which was used by an art critic in reference to an exhibition of the artists’ work in 1905, including that of Henri Matisse and André Derain.

In part, Fauvism explored complementary colours (e.g. colours opposite each other in the colour wheel), and was seen to be almost abstract with bold brushstrokes. There’s also a touch of influence from the post-impressionist works of Van Gogh, and from the movement’s artificial appearance.

Characteristics:

• Bright contrasting colours
• Paint applied directly from the tube
• Heavy brushstrokes
• Flat arrangement
• Simplified imagery
• Artificial

Where: France

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Henri Matisse (b.1869-d.1954)
  + Open Window, Collioure, 1905
• André Derain (b.1880-d.1954)
  + The Pool of London, 1906
• Maurice de Vlaminck (b.1876-d.1958)
  + Restaurant “La Machine” at Bougival, 1905

Open Window, Collioure, 1905 by Henri Matisse. Image is courtesy of rocor

The Pool of London, 1906 by André Derain

1900-1930 Bengal School of Art

Believed to have begun as a reaction against artwork that was designed for European tastes and which demeaned Indian traditions.  Instead, the Bengal School of Art looked to celebrate the ancient artistic traditions of India (largely of the Mughal Empire), and to infuse them with a distinct sense of Indian modernism. The Bengal School of Art was also linked to swadeshi –  India’s movement for self-reliance away from Britain, and to promote a sense of nationalism.

Its artists sought to capture daily rural-life, Indian mythology, history, nature, Buddhism and Hindu themes. There was also an influence of Japanese art, mainly in its technique of an ink wash; ink that’s applied at various levels – light to dark.

Although the movement began to lose popularity in the 1920s, it still inspires countless artists today.

Characteristics:

• Hindu Themes
• Rural contemporary life
• Romantic landscapes
• Japanese influences
• Avoided bright colours
• Traditional materials, primarily tempera (i.e. coloured pigments mixed with a binder that’s fast drying, such as an egg).

Where: India

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Abanindranath Tagore (b.1871-d.1951)
  + Bharat Mata (Mother India), 1905
  + Journey’s End, 1913
• Abdur Rahman Chughtai (b.1894-d.1975)
  + Radhika, unknown date
• Nandalal Bose (b.1882-d.1966)
  + Sati, 1907
  + Pārvatī’s First Visit to Śiva’s Cave, 1921

Bharat Mata (Mother India), 1905 by Abanindranath Tagore

1890-1910 Art Nouveau

This period was wide ranging, influencing and affecting architecture, crafts, design, as well as art. Its continuing link across mediums being; sinuous lines and organic forms e.g. plants, flowers etc. It was also inspired by the Japanese prints of Ukiyo-e, and a rejection of past historical movements.

Art Nouveau is also viewed as an impactful moment in blurring the lines between “fine” and applied art.

Characteristics:

• Asymmetrical
• Organic forms; vines, insects, birds, plant, flowers
• Decorative
• Sinuous (curvy) lines

Where: Europe, Russia, Latin America and United States

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Aubrey Beardsley (b.1872-d.1898)
  +The Peacock Skirt, 1894
• Gustav Klimt (b.1862-d.1918)
  + Medicine (Hygeia), 1900-07
  + The Kiss, 1907-08
• Alphonse Marie Mucha (b.1860-d.1939)
  + Rêverie, 1897
  + Zodiaque (“La Plume”), 1896-97

Medicine (Hygeia), 1900-07 by Gustav Klimt

Zodiaque (“La Plume”), 1896-97 by Alphonse Marie Mucha

1905-1920 Expressionism

Expresses the artist’s feelings and viewpoints. It also explored spiritual themes and social critique. Emerging at first across various parts of Germany, its artists can be grouped into either; Die Brücke (The Bridge) or Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider). Both of which reacted to the feelings that humanity was becoming inharmonious to the world, and out-of-tune to societies’ emotions.

A connecting theme within Expressionist art was to use the medium as a way to share and display intense states of anxiety, felt both by the artists and in connection to society. It was also hoped that Expressionism could reflect and find a truth to life.

Characteristics:

• Distorted figures
• Strong use of colours
• Abstraction
• Heavy paint – making it textured
• Internal reflection
• Jagged lines

Where: Western & Northern Europe, Russia.

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Wassily Kandinsky (b.1866-d.1944)
  + Improvisation 28, 1912
• Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (b.1880-d.1938)
  + Street, Dresden, 1908
  + Marzella, 1909-10
• Franz Marc (b.1880-d.1916)
  + The Large Blue Horses, 1911

Improvisation 28, 1912 by Wassily Kandinsky

Street, Dresden, 1908 by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Image is courtesy of Carl Black licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

1907-1914 Cubism

Cubism presents various viewpoints and angles on the same subject (still life or figures) in an often overlapping and abstract display – while retaining a flattened appearance to the work.

The artists aim to produce a three-dimensional perspective of the subject at its present time (including a merge of foreground and background), the image as such appearing fragmented.

There are two camps of Cubism;

• 1908-1912 analytical: sombre limited colour, overlapping lines, three-dimensional viewpoints.
• 1912-1914 synthetic: wider range of colour, more simple compositions, and began to include collage material.

Characteristics:

• Geometrics
• Flattened compositions
• Abstract
• Multiple viewpoints of the same subject
• Subtle colours

Where: Europe & United States (later influences in Latin America and Japan).

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Pablo Picasso (b.1881-d.1973)
  + Girl with a Mandolin, 1910
• Georges Braque (b.1882-d.1963)
  + L’ Aficionado, 1912
• Juan Gris (b.1887-d.1927)
  + The Checkerboard, 1915

Girl with a Mandolin, 1910 by Pablo Picasso.

The Checkerboard, 1915 by Juan Gris

1909-1944 Futurism

The clue’s in the name – the movement rushing to embrace the future by discarding the past. Considered largely an Italian movement, it was first launched by the poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti’s “Manifesto of Futurism” which was published in a French magazine in 1909.

Central themes of Futurism include movement, machine and modern life. In particular the fast-pace developments in science and technology – celebrating its accelerating progress in the form of growing cities and towns, urban crowds, automobiles, trains and planes.

To emphasise speed, Futurists used the fragmented skills of Cubism, but intermittently placed the lines and overlapping viewpoints of the subject, to create a sensation of it shooting past.

Characteristics:

• Bright bold colours
• Inspired by Cubism esp. sharp overlapping linesScience and technology
• Speed
• Harsh lines

Where: Western Europe, Russia, United States, Japan

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Umberto Boccioni (b.1882-d.1916)
  + Elasticity, 1912
• Gino Severini (b.1883-d.1966)
  + Armored Train in Action, 1915
• Giacomo Balla (b.1871-d.1958)
  + Abstract Speed – The Car has Passed 1913

Elasticity, 1912 by Umberto Boccioni

Armored Train in Action, 1915 by Gino Severini. Image is courtesy of Regan Vercruysse

1916-1924 Dada

This movement is credited as starting in Zürich, Switzerland, shortly after WW1, Dada looked at both the horrors of war and the mistakes that led to it, including nationalism. It was also against capitalism and materialism, and so from this it was also anti-art, feeling that it too was part of a society that led to war. Meanwhile, in the United States the actions of anti-art arose from a rebellion against the structure and rules of the art world.

In all, this movement of anti-art is best encapsulated by the artist Duchamp; who took pre-made objects, “ready-mades”, and only slightly altered their appearance.

Diverse is the best description for Dada, but it still doesn’t cover the impact and range of artistic mediums involved; from performance, literature, sculpture etc to photomontages. It’s no surprise therefore that the movement is seen to be one of the most influential, leading to both Surrealism and Conceptualism.

Characteristics:

• Humour and satire
• Shock and chance
• Group work
• Unpredictable

Where: Europe, United States and Russia

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Marcel Duchamp (b.1887-d.1968)
  + Fountain, 1917
• Hannah Höch (b.1889-d.1978)
  + Study for Man and Machine, 1921
  + Cut with the Dada Kitchen Knife through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch in Germany, 1919
• Kurt Schwitters (b.1887-d.1948)
  + Merz Picture 32 A. The Cherry Picture, 1921

  

Fountain, 1917 by Marcel Duchamp. Image is courtesy of Pablo Ibañez licensed under CC BY 2.0

1913-1927 Suprematism

Coined and created by the artist Kasimir Malevich, Suprematism was seen as an exploration of art that’s held only against itself. What, in its simplest, and thereby purest form, could art reach before it’s no longer art?

Almost philosophical, Suprematism has no representational form of the surrounding world, but searches only to liberate art from all rules, views and expectations.

Characteristics:

• Geometric shapes
• Flat
• Limited range of colours
• Typically a plain white background

Where: Russia

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Kazimir Malevich (b.1878-d.1935)
  + Black Square, 1915
  + Supremus No. 56, 1916
• El Lissitzky (b.1890-d.1947)
  + Untitled, 1919-20
• Nikolai Suetin (b.1897-d.1954)
  + Suprematism, 1920-21

Black Square, 1915 by Kazimir Malevich

Untitled, 1919-20 by El Lissitzky

1915-1940 Constructivism

Founded in Russia, the movement would later grow in popularity as it reached across a number of countries under the name of International Constructivism, but just as it gained popularity it was being silenced in 1920s Russia.

Its style was geometric in basis, and constructed to make abstract shapes from a range of modern materials. This was in response to the growing modern and industrial landscapes, just as the term ‘construction’ was used to reflect this. Constructivists believed that the merge of art with modern developments, such as industrial material could help in society’s growth, for example as a working template or inspiration– but it never quite made it to assembly.

Thought of largely as sculptural, there are also flat graphic designs of Constructivism. The images featuring heavy typography, and a simple, but bold colour palette; blue, yellow, red and black, and constructed photomontages. Intended to contribute socially, Constructivism’s images were soon adopted into advertisement.

Characteristics:

• Modern materials; plastic, steel, concrete, glass
• Built of geometric shapes
• Overall abstract
• Influences from Cubism and Futurism
• Exploring the capabilities of material

Where: Russia, Western Europe, United States & Latin America.

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Vladimir Tatlin (b.1885-d.1953)
  + Monument to the Third International, 1920
• Naum Gabo (b.1890-d.1977)
  + Head No. 2, 1916, Enlarged Version 1964
  + Linear Construction in Space No. 2, 1957-58
• Alexander Rodchenko (b.1891-d.1956)
  + Books in All Branches of Knowledge, 1925

Monument to the Third International, 1920 by Vladimir Tatlin. Image is courtesy of Cea. Licensed under CC BY 2.0

Head No. 2, 1916, Enlarged Version 1964 by Naum Gabo. Image is courtesy of Michael Jones

Linear Construction in Space No.2, 1957-58 by Naum Gabo. Image is courtesy of Carney Lentz

1920–   Social Realism

Realistic imagery that comments or reflects on society. The question or thought it induces, being more powerful than the artwork itself.

Primarily, Social Realism centres around the difficulties of those living in poverty and the working class, with images of their daily struggles, used to confront the systems they felt had failed them. Although largely viewed as having emerged between world wars, and being most popular in the 1920s/30s, it’s argued by many to have first begun with Gustave Courbet, a French painter in the 19^th Century who depicted events and experiences of the peasantry, rather than the more popular romanticised images of the time. Mexican Muralists also contributed to Social Realism with politically charged murals, following the Mexican Revolution in 1910.

However it began, with the advent of more readily available “real-life” technology such as film and photography – the movement has gained a new power and traction (to go alongside its existing medium of paint) in highlighting social inequality.

Not to be confused with socialist realism which was sanctioned art under Stalin.

Characteristics:

• Socio-political commentary
• Realistic
• Representational
• Figurative
• Working classes or masses

Where: Worldwide

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Gordon Parks (b.1912-d.2006)
  + The Fontenelles at the Poverty Board, 1967
• Margaret Bourke-White (b.1904-d.1971)
  + At the Time of the Louisville Flood, 1937
• José Clemente Orozco (b.1883-d.1949)
  + The Trench, 1926
  + The Epic of American Civilisations, 1932-34

The Trench, 1926 by José Clemente Orozco. Image is courtesy of Thelmadatter, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

1924-1966 Surrealism

Surrealism refutes reason and embraces automatic nature – the main points André Breton proposed when defining Surrealism in his manifesto, and which would become the bedrock of its movement.

Expanding on Dada’s unpredictable qualities, Surrealism aimed to capture the unconscious mind, having been partly inspired by an interest in Freudian psychoanalysis and spirituality. Its delving into the unconscious mind being best represented by the dream imagery of Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst, but it’s Dalí’s name that’s become almost synonymous with Surrealism.

Surrealism also employed techniques to open the unconscious mind; such as automatic writing and drawing. There was also a degree of eroticism in Surrealist artwork, with some artists exploring the Freudian view that sexual desires were being repressed just below the conscious mind.

Although many artists within Surrealism painted with great detail and description, the imagery and concept were not realistic – it was anything but. Instead, it aimed to be highly imaginative and distinctly unreal.

Characteristics:

• Irrational
• Contrasting images e.g. elephants with stick legs
• Imaginative
• Dreamlike, fantasy
• Distortion

Where: Europe, United States, Latin America, Egypt and Japan. The Surrealism by Haiti artists is seen to be both similar and different in style to the European movement it would later inspire, with it influencing and reinvigorating European Surrealism following Breton’s visit in the 40s.

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Salvador Dalí (b.1904-d.1989)
  + The Persistence of Memory, 1931
  + Elephants, 1948
• Max Ernst (b.1891-d.1976)
  + Celebes, 1921
• Leonora Carrington (b.1917-d.2011)
  + And Then We Saw the Daughter of the Minotaur! 1953
• Frida Kahlo (b.1907-d.1954)
  + Henry Ford Hospital, 1932

The Persistence of Memory, 1931 by Salvador Dalí. Image is courtesy of Mike Steele licensed under CC BY 2.0

And Then We Saw the Daughter of the Minotaur! 1953 by Leonora Carrington. Image is courtesy of Karl Steel

1945-1968 Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism is considered the first art movement to have started in the USA, having begun in New York with the hope that Abstract Expressionism could find a connecting unity; and which was searched for through unconscious automatic art. Considered to be both physical and raw in its techniques such as its action painting. It could also be seen as still and relaxed with its block colouring; Colour-field painting.

Here’s a bit more about the two different schools in Abstract Expressionism:

• Action painting (1945-1960) – immediate expressions placed onto the canvas with the energy and movement of the artist being caught. Whether in broad brushstrokes, drips and/or flicks of paint capturing the artist’s interactions with the canvas. In summary, there’s a strong sense of dynamism.
• Colour-field painting (1950-1968) – large compositions of colour. Both brought on by, and to encourage contemplation.

Despite there being two schools, their thoughts were the same; self-expression and the freedom of its portrayal, while continuing Surrealism’s search of the unconscious.

Characteristics:

• Spontaneous
• Expressive
• Physical
• Abstract (unrealistic)
• Monumental in size

Where: United States and Canada.

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Jackson Pollock (b.1912-d.1956)
  + One: Number 31, 1950
  + Blue Poles, 1952
• Willem de Kooning (b.1904-d.1997)
  + Excavation, 1950
• Mark Rothko (b.1903-1970)
  + No.3/No.13, 1949
• Helen Frankenthaler (b.1928-d.2011)
  + Tutti-Fruitti, 1966

One: Number 31, 1950 by Jackson Pollock. Image is courtesy of RosieTulips

Excavation, 1950 by Willem de Kooning. Image is courtesy of Mark Mauno

Tutti-Fruitti, 1966 by Helen Frankenthaler. Image is courtesy of smallcurio licensed under CC BY 2.0

1950–   Hurufiyya

Roughly translated, Hurufiyya means letterism. The artwork being centred around Arabic words or letters, and from them creating abstract shapes, or including them as part of its visual imagery. The lettering can sometimes be almost ineligible, as the artist deconstructs and plays with its appearance.

The artworks often have a calligraphy style of writing, but each artist’s expressions are uniquely diverse, and so the influence of this varies.

Characteristics

• Arabic writing
• Abstract
• Calligraphy influence

Where: Middle-East and North-Africa

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Dia Azzawi (b.1939)
  + Al-Mua’alaqat (set of 8), 1978
• Omar El-Nagdi (b.1931- d.2019)
  + The Letter Heh, 1960
• Hassan Massoudy (b.1944)
  + Wisdom Comes To Us In Dreams, 2017
  + I Wish to be a Butterfly Flitting Around the Candle of your Beauty, 2012
• eL Seed (b.1981)
  + Arab World Institute, Paris, 2014

‘Unknown’ by Hassan Massoudy, 1994. Image is courtesy of  Sora licensed under CC BY-ND 2.

Arab World Institute, Paris, 2014 by eL Seed. Image is courtesy of Ferdinand Feys

1950-70 Pop Art

Having initially begun in America and Britain, Pop Art was a rejection of ‘high art’ as seen in museum and galleries, which was felt not to be a true reflection of the culture the artists lived in. It was also a return to recognisable imagery, and away from abstraction.

Its name ‘Pop Art’ derives from the use of popular culture, its imagery used to remove the definition between high and low-brow art, and to instead see art in the everyday items and moments of life. It was also a move away from personal introspections, and in being mass-produced (often as silkscreens) it made a comment (whether intentional) on mass-production.

For some British artists however, Pop Art was a way to portray the influences and power of mass media.

Characteristics:

• Styles and inspirations from entertainment, advertising, comic books, magazines
• Everyday inanimate objects
• Primary colours
• Humour and irony

Where: Western Europe, United States, Russia, Argentina, Brazil & Japan

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Andy Warhol (b.1928-d.1987)
  + Campbell’s Soup Cans, 1962
• Roy Lichtenstein (b.1923-d.1997)
  + Whaam! 1963
• Teresinha Soares (b.1927)
  + Morrem Tantos Homes e Eu Tao Aqui So (Vietnam Series), 1968

Campbell’s Soup Cans, 1962 by Andy Warhol

Whaam! 1963, by Roy Lichtenstein. Image is courtesy of André Luís licensed under CC BY 2.0

1960 Conceptualism

Revolutionary, Conceptualism showed how art could be a concept or idea, rather than something physically produced. In fact, sometimes there is nothing tangible at all to Conceptualism. This process helped artists in their criticism of commercialised art, by making something difficult to sell; an idea.

The basis of Conceptualism is seen to have come from Dada; which at times looked at breaking and tearing down rules to art. Encapsulated best by the artist Duchamp, who signed his name to already existing items e.g. a urinal “Fountain” – his work is often seen as a prelude to Conceptualism and an influential figure within the movement.

Various materials and mediums are used in Conceptualism; from photography, text, discarded objects, ephemera, film and video etc. While the aesthetics and artistic skills of the artwork are unimportant.

Performance, Installation and Land Art – art formed in nature using its landscape or other natural materials – are viewed as off-shoots, and branches of Conceptualism.

Characteristics:

• The idea is the artwork and not the product
• Unrestricted & varied

Where: Worldwide

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Sol LeWitt (b.1928-d.2007)
  + A Wall Divided Vertically into Fifteen Equal Parts, Each with a Different Line Direction and Colour, and All Combinations, 1970
• Joseph Beuys (b.1921-d.1986)
  + Homogenous Infiltration for Grand Piano, 1966
• Lawrence Weiner (b.1942)
  + Taken from here to where it came from. And taken to a place. And used in such a manner that it can only remain as. A representation of what it was where it came from, 1980

Homogenous Infiltration for Grand Piano by Joseph Beuys. Image is courtesy of Sebastian Lange

Taken from here to where it came from. And taken to a place. And used in such a manner that it can only remain as. A representation of what it was where it came from, 1980 by Lawrence Weiner. Image is courtesy of Charles Roderick licensed under  CC BY 2.0

1960 Performance Art

An expressive form of art displayed through the actions and/or movements of the artist or performer. It can be spontaneous, or choreographed, and performed by a single person or multiple people. Unconstrained from context – the art movement can be expressed anywhere.

Although it has roots to the early 20^th century, and to art movements; Futurism and Dadaism, it was in the early years of postmodernism that it really began to grow.

Performance Art still continues to push boundaries and reactions.

Characteristics:

• The body – considered the medium and canvas for expression
• Usually, a one-off performance
• Variety of influences; everyday life, dance, literature, acting, and social commentary.

Where: Worldwide

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Wafaa Bilal (b.1966)
  + and counting…, 2010
  + Domestic Tension, 2007
• Marina Abramović (b.1946)
  + Rhythm 0, 1974
  + The Artist is Present, 2010
• Yves Klein (b.1928-d.1962)
  + Anthropometry of the Blue Period, 1960

And counting…, 2010 by Wafaa Bilal. Image is courtesy of Tim Kli­mowicz

The Artist is Present, 2010 by Marina Abramović. Image is courtesy of La Citta Vita licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

1960 Installation Art

Installation Art is typically temporary, and constructed for a specific area. It’s often large-scale and sometimes interactive, with a various mix of mediums being used. Light and sound tools can also be employed alongside.

The intent of the artwork is to invoke a strong sensation, or feeling, from the viewer. Its impact powerfully dominating the space it’s displayed in.

Characteristics:

• Large constructs
• ImmersiveMixed-mediums
• Created for a specific area

Where: Worldwide

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Ai Weiwei (b.1957)
  + Sunflower Seeds, 2010
• Yayoi Kusama (b.1929)
  + Chandelier of Grief 2016
  + All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins, 2016
• Doris Salcedo (b.1958)
  + Untitled Installation for the 8th Istanbul Biennale, 2003

Sunflower Seeds, 2010 by Ai Weiwei. Image is courtesy of Eric Folger

All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins, 2016 by Yayoi Kusama.

1960-1980 Minimalism

Emerging from a strong influence of Abstract Expressionism – in particular ‘Colour-Field Painting’ – which separated its art from historical themes and other symbolic meanings. In turn, Minimalism does the same, and instead focuses on the artwork, with no outside inspirations or hidden ideas, but purely and only on its construct and shape. Employing simplistic geometric elements; often squares and rectangles, which are further built upon.

The colour choices and the whole form of the artwork is intended to be appreciated and seen for what it is, with no personal emotions, expressions, or introspections being attached from the artist. Such a move helped distance it from general Abstract Expressionism e.g. action painting as opposed to ‘colour-field painting’.

Artworks within Minimalism are typically sculptural, and largely use industrial materials such as lighting tubes, metal, bricks etc. Similar to Installation Art, the sculptural works of the Minimalist period sought great care and attention to the space they occupied – purposefully being unavoidable and eye-catching; lying on the flour, across the walls etc.

Characteristics:

• Geometric shapes
• Industrial materials
• Typically left in its raw colour
• Simple forms
• Repetition

Where: Europe and United States.

Famous Artists and Artworks:

• Carl André (b.1935)
  + Equivalent VIII, 1966
• Charlotte Posenenske (b.1930-d.1985)
  + Square Tubes [Series D] 1967
• Dan Flavin (b.1933-d.1996)
  + Untitled (to Jan and Ron Greenberg), 1972–73
  + Untitled (Marfa Project), 1996

Square Tubes [Series D] 1967 by Charlotte Posenenske. Image is courtesy of Heidi De Vries licensed under CC BY 2.0

Untitled (Marfa Project), 1996 by Dan Flavin. Image is courtesy of Jonas Lamis licensed under CC BY 2.0

1960/70– Urban Art

Often interchangeable with graffiti and street art, it’s a movement best described by its context; being produced in an urban environment. Its imagery usually socio-political in commentary, and one that’s relevant to the urban landscape it was produced in.

Although recently Urban Art can be seen not just on the streets and buildings of a town, but in its galleries. At its heart however, it’s still considered public art because it’s not constrained by definitions, is constantly evolving and most importantly; by typically being created on the streets everyone can see the artwork, and produce it.

Urban Art takes many forms, but is most commonly linked to graffiti; stencils, stickers, spray-paint and posters. Most recently it’s expanded into using the items, rubbish and grime of the street as its medium, e.g. power-washing layers of dirt away from the wall, drilling into concrete/plaster, or carving into discarded posters to create a new visual image.

Characteristics:

• Socio-political commentary
• Produced in public spaces and on anything openly visible; walls, lampposts, gates, undergrounds, tunnels, doors etc
• Typically includes graffiti

Where: Worldwide

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Banksy (b.1974?)
  + Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower), 2003
  + Mobile Lovers, 2014
• Vhils (Alexandre Farto) (b.1987)
  + Scratching the Surface Project, (Miami) 2018
  + Nancy, (France) 2019
• Hyuro (Tamara Djurovic) (b.1974)
  + War Impact in Children’s Lives, 2016

Mobile Lovers, 2014 by Banksy. Image is courtesy of Dunk licensed under CC BY 2.0

Nancy (France), 2019 by Vhils. Image is courtesy of Fer­­­­­­dinand Feys

1990 Cynical Realism

Cynical Realism is a political expression with a ‘cynical’ viewpoint, and an inflection of Pop Art. Its imagery often being an ironic imitation of reality. Beginning in the early 90s following Tiananmen Square, it comments on the social-political landscape and the events since Revolutionary China 1911 (when imperial rule was overthrown and replaced with the Republic of China).

There’s also a contrast and use of China’s propaganda; recognising both the influences intended by its artwork, and then in some cases adopting its style to humorously reflect on its ironies e.g. a soldier hysterically laughing.

Characteristics:

• Socio-political meanings
• Sardonic humour
• Strong use of emotions
• Juxtaposed influence with propaganda imagery

Where: China

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Yue Minjun (b.1962)
  + Execution, 1995
  + The Sun, 2000
• Fang Lijun (b.1963)
  + Series 2 No. 4, 1994
• Liu Wei (b.1965)
  + Revolutionary Family Series —  Dad with Mum, 1991
• Zhang Xiaogang (b.1958)
  + Bloodline – Big Family No 3, 1995
  + My Ideal, 2008

The Sun, 2000 by Yue Minjun. Image is courtesy of Morgan Schmorgan

My Ideal, 2008 by Zhang Xiaogang. Image is courtesy of Fred Romero licensed under CC BY 2.0

2000 Superflat

The term Superflat refers not only to the flat dimensional quality of the artwork, which is largely inspired by the animation style of manga and anime, as well as graphic design, but also the culture of consumerism. Due to its link with modern popular culture, the movement is considered by some critics to be a development from Pop Art.

Following the connection between consumerism, and the style of artwork, the movement’s founding father; Takashi Murakami, has often joined his art to commercially-appealing products, for example fashion prints.

Characteristics:

• Inspiration from Japanese kawaii; culture of cute things
• Manga and anime style
• Influences of Ukiyo-e’s linear perspectives
• Flat areas of colour

Where: Japan

Famous Artists & Artworks:

• Takashi Murakami (b.1962)
  + ‘Hustle’n’Punch By Kaikai and Kiki’ 2009
  + This Merciless World, 2014
• Yoshitomo Nara (b.1959)
  + Knife Behind Back, 2000
• Aya Takano (b.1976)
  + From ‘The Far Reaches of The Universe, My Garden’ 2005

‘Hustle’n’Punch By Kaikai And Kiki, 2009’ by Takashi Murakami. Image is courtesy of Ron Gilbert licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

And finally…three defining terms of art:

Modernism (1870-1960) reflected on a growing industrial society, and a modern way of living. It also looked optimistically to the future. Its artwork exploring all of humanity; from its collectives, to spiritual and emotional directions. Hunting all the while for a “truth” to life. It was also experimental, with colour, lines and shapes that moved away from realism, and instead played with the processes of art and its materials. It also sought to update itself to reflect on an advancing world and to investigate the definition of modern life in art; its purpose, and boundaries etc

Post-Modernism – a term covering a broad spectrum of art from the 1960/70s that rebelled against the definitions of “high” art, and the earlier umbrella term of modernism. It rejects any defining rules of what art is and cultural norms, but instead explores the individual and everyday life.

Contemporary art – a moving period of 50 years from the present date.