Discover today’s contemporary artists

Key points at a glance

Contemporary artists are those working today whose works are relevant to our current era – regardless of style or medium. The spectrum ranges from painting and sculpture to performance art and video art. Key figures include David Hockney, Ai Weiwei, Anselm Kiefer, Kara Walker and Gerhard Richter.
Below, you’ll find a clear overview of what contemporary art means, the themes that shape it and the diversity of approaches.
This article is particularly helpful for art enthusiasts and beginners who wish to better understand contemporary art or discover exciting names on the current art scene.
As a next step, you can explore individual artists and emerging talents in more detail here.

The faces behind today’s masterpieces

The art world encompasses a wide range of works, and every era has produced exciting contemporary artists. In this article, we focus on contemporary artists of today. German contemporary painters are, of course, also represented here. These works are definitely not to be missed.

But what exactly is contemporary art anyway? The term ‘contemporary’ refers to a person who lives at the same time as another person. The two are therefore contemporaries. Unless otherwise specified, the term ‘contemporary art’ refers to current, modern art. It therefore concerns contemporaries who are still alive. The term ‘art’ does not describe a specific style or medium, as it encompasses all forms of art. Thus, alongside traditional techniques such as painting and sculpture, new media forms such as video art and performance art are also very much in vogue.

Arguably the most important venue for contemporary art is Documenta in Kassel, where modern 21st-century artists exhibit their work. It sees itself as a venue for contemporary art and current art. Here, ‘current art’ does not mean that the artwork must have been created only yesterday, but rather that it should demonstrate relevance to the present day.

The ‘Studierenden Kunstmarkt’ also sees itself as a contemporary platform. Here, various young contemporary artists are given the opportunity to showcase their work, regardless of the medium. Alongside painting, many sculptural elements and photography are also represented. The website offers buyers an overview of contemporary artists in Germany.

The following painting by Zoë Katharina Haupts is reminiscent of the first artist we’ll be introducing to you.

Immerse yourself in the legacy of today’s artists: masterpieces that stand the test of time

Contemporary art and artists have given rise to fascinating perspectives. A significant painter and important modern artist is David Hockney. His intense use of colour allows viewers to immerse themselves in his unique world. This British modern artist is arguably one of the most expensive artists of the modern era. His work encompasses landscape and portrait painting. Photographic works also form part of his repertoire.

Named the most influential contemporary artist by Art Review is Ai Weiwei, a Chinese artist who produces socially critical works. In his works, he takes a stand against the Chinese government, amongst other things, and frequently provokes exciting and critical debates. As is the case with some modern artists, his work does not confine itself to a single genre. Ai Weiwei is a conceptual artist who works in sculpture and frequently also takes on the role of curator.

Contemporary artists from Germany: innovation meets tradition

Another important section is ‘German painters in the 21st century’. At the forefront is Anselm Kiefer, the German contemporary artist who works in painting. His paintings are characterised by dark colours and bold brushstrokes. In his work, he engages with the (primarily German) past and draws many parallels with the Nazi era. His central themes revolve around the culture of remembrance, coming to terms with the past, and the preservation of memories.

Also using dark colours: The works of Johanna Antonia Alice Quester.

It is not only high-profile artists who are represented in modern art; important female artists also play a major role, although they are often initially overlooked in the art market. Contemporary art thrives on diverse perspectives, which do not always call for a male-centred approach, but seek out other viewpoints just as much.

Women artists in contemporary art

Kara Walker is one of the most impressive female artists in contemporary art and, above all, the best-known Black artist of the 21st century. She is known for her work, which addresses issues of gender and racism. The works, which at first glance appear almost fairy-tale-like, reveal a profound exploration upon closer inspection, as her most famous work is a tableau of black paper cut-outs that narratively depicts the history of slavery and internalised racism. Using seemingly minimalist means, she manages to convey a powerful impact on the viewer.

“Modern Japanese artists” is a search term that is entered time and again on Google. It should by now be clear that the Japanese art market is an essential part of the modern art world. If you Google well-known Japanese artists, you’ll immediately come across: a female artist! Yayoi Kusama. Even if you’re not particularly interested in art, you may well have come across her work through the fashion world, as she collaborated once again with the fashion brand Louis Vuitton in 2023, resulting in a major fashion collection that even included perfume and handbags. The central focus of her work: dots, dots, dots!

Beyond the canvas

Kusama’s works extend beyond the canvases, flooding the space and taking it over. Her work is an all-encompassing performance – she, too, dresses to match her surroundings and thus merges with her work. However, this world, which appears colourful and playful on the surface, has a serious background. Since childhood, Yayoi Kusama has suffered from a mental illness that causes her to experience recurrent hallucinatory visions. It was from this illness that she developed her style, which has brought her great success beyond Japan. She also runs her own museum in Tokyo and is a star in the international art and fashion worlds. Do have a look at the equally colourful artist Tom Freudenberger

Takashi Murakami has made a significant mark on contemporary art, as well as the world of fashion and pop culture. His flamboyant works have already been used as motifs for designer bags and album covers. He describes his work as “superflat” and also sees himself as a graphic artist. He portrays Japanese pop culture and never misses an opportunity to question it. His work has now gained recognition and relevance far beyond Japan’s borders.

Contemporary artists in the here and now

Famous artists today often engage with everyday objects and scenes from daily life. Jeff Koons is arguably the best example of this. This renowned 21st-century artist shapes contemporary art with gigantic, highly charged objects that are alienated from their everyday purpose. In doing so, he draws on all the disciplines of modern art: sculpture, conceptual art, painting... His works are often inspired by the advertising industry and serve as an exaggerated reflection of everyday life. A constant balancing act between kitsch and art, in which he brings together his various works.

There are many contemporary painters, but Peter Doig is right at the forefront. The Scottish painter frequently uses photographs as a basis for his paintings. However, his approach is by no means photorealistic. His works demonstrate a skilful, relaxed painting style, whose colours captivate the viewer. Memories and personal references are reflected in his works. His works are often figurative whilst also drawing on landscape painting.

Contemporary art has produced another significant artist: Georg Baselitz. As a graphic artist, sculptor and painter, he went against the grain from an early age and, whilst in the GDR, devoted himself to figurative painting rather than abstract art. Printmaking also played a major role in his work and even earned him awards and scholarships.

Meet the artists of the moment: The avant-garde of the art world awaits you

Up-and-coming contemporary artists revere her: Marlene Dumas is one of the most famous contemporary painters. Her portraits are highly influential: through her powerful painting style, she explores themes of death, love, identity and grief. She finds her inspiration in magazines and her collection of Polaroids. The artist grew up in South Africa, studied in Cape Town and, after completing her studies, moved to Amsterdam, where she still lives and works today. She has exhibited at all the major venues, including MoMA and the Venice Biennale, and her works are represented in numerous collections.

The pioneer of modern performance art is undoubtedly Marina Abramović. The performances of this renowned contemporary artist transcend physical and mental boundaries, exploring the limits of human endurance and those of modern art. Many are familiar with her performance alongside her former partner Ulay, with whom she staged several performances. In 1988, the pair parted ways and, as a symbolic conclusion to their relationship, walked along the Great Wall of China, meeting in the middle one last time for an embrace.

The final artist we would like to introduce to you is Gerhard Richter, a contemporary German painter. This contemporary painter now has 957 works in his repertoire. In the late 1960s, he became known for his photorealistic works, which drew inspiration from photographs and newspaper cuttings. Richter also drew on his own family’s photo archive and painted some of the portraits from a nostalgic and retrospective perspective. His working method continually evolved in different directions throughout his career, giving rise to a variety of styles and ideas.

The world of contemporary artists: your gateway to the current art scene

All these contemporary artists have one thing in common: their works are highly topical, as they are active as artists in the present day. These living contemporaries encourage reflection within the art world and mirror current events or relevant aspects of the past.

It doesn’t always have to be painting; here is a work by Lukas Rosen.

The Student Art Market aims to actively support emerging artists and introduce them to the world of contemporary art. Art students can register on the platform and engage with the art world from a young age. In doing so, these young artists learn how to manage their art and present themselves to the wider world. They have their first interactions with the art world and potential buyers. The platform is also a great way for art enthusiasts, who might be looking to acquire a piece or two, to get started. Through the award from

On our platform, you can discover young artists and filter by your preferred style, technique, subject, size or art school. In our blog posts, you’ll also find fascinating topics relating to art, as well as tips and tricks on buying and investing in art.

Contemporary art thus encompasses a wide range of diverse artists. Some students are already on their way to the top. Delve deeper into the world of contemporary artists and let yourself be surprised all over again, because art is diverse and what you like best is often a matter of personal taste. Whether it’s painting or performance art – contemporary art has something for everyone!