For those who exist outside the margins of the contemporary art world, when they think of famous modern artists and famous contemporary artists, they would likely be perplexed for a couple of different reasons. For one, it seems that the only famous artists that most people have heard of are dead and gone. Among these are, of course, the most famous artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, Michaelangelo, and even Andy Warhol. While the exact meaning of the term modern may confuse those who are ignorant about the world of art and its many overlapping periods and schools, they might consider Andy Warhol one of the famous modern artists, and they would be right to do so, as he was alive during most of their lifetimes. However, others would not consider Andy Warhol to be on of the famous modern artists, nor a famous contemporary artist, because his heyday occurred back in the late sixties and the early seventies, during the post beat generation. For whatever reason, most Americans are not well educated in the areas of visual arts or the history of modern visual arts. They may not even be able to identify an abstract artist from any period of history, probably do not know the difference between modern art and contemporary art, and certainly would not be able to name any famous comtemporary artists.

The reason that Americans are ignorant when it comes to famous modern artists and contemporary artists, is that in the United States, art is considered by many to be unimportant. Americans have always been known to be a practical bunch, and a large portion of them have little interest or time to waste learning about such a fluffy, irrelevant topic as art. Ironically, however, many Americans do like that they have traditions and will argue that traditions are necessary for any culture; but, at the same time, they display little interest in the very platform that is necessary for culture and tradition. The truth is, without art, any culture would be drab, bland, and just plain boring Famous modern artists pushed the envelope and helped to bring about changes in culture that influence the lifestyles of every citizen. The influence of famous modern artists can be identified rather easily in fashion, animation, film, music, books, architecture, and all of those so called irrelevant things that everyone enjoys.

There are plenty of modern artist out there now a days doing all sorts of unique, and stunning work. Contemporary artists from all over the world are involved in a plethora of styles. Some of these artists are concerned with there work making some sort of social commentary. Others just want visually stunning pieces. Whatever their motivation, the modern artist is more plentiful then any other time in history.

The abstract artist produces stunning works that often leave the eyes dancing in the viewer’s head. Different shapes will often swirl and interact in a pool of colors that leaves the viewer with the sense of being lost in a visual waterfall. There are many famous contemporary artists and famous modern artists who have achieved this effect.

Many a modern artist will use their artistic skills to point out what they take to be an important commentary on some social issue. Often times it will center around gender, race, or socio economic matters. The goal is to convince the viewer of the importance of the issue being portrayed, and hopefully compel them into action in the name of that issue. The modern art artists will use their artistic ability to try and seamlessly integrate their work with the real life around them. To truly make a piece of art that will speak to the viewer about, say the racism still felt by the African American today, the art must be representative of that racism in a way which the viewer will say to themselves “oh yeah, I have seen that.” Only then will the message of the art get across.

The modern artist operates in diverse mediums to get their point out there. Some use canvas and paint, some pencil and paper. Some will make 3D objects of one sort or another, and still some will use the medium of sound. The mediums available are almost as endless as the messages they are trying to get across. The modern artist is truly an animal of many masks.

Art is often lost in the craziness that happens to be everyday life these days. The truth is, artistic freedom is just becoming more and more common and, although beautiful and captivating, is less likely to be recognized as unique or rare. A contemporary artist who produces artistic work today is less likely to be recognized as a new smartphone model will be. The advances in technology may be to blame for art being lost on society but there are great and inspiring contemporary artists out there to explore. Check out local art galleries featuring contemporary artists in your area to uncover a local gem or start researching famous contemporary artists who have had major influences on the modern art artists in the world today.

Famous modern artists are less likely to dazzle with a paint brush than they are to produce a new work of art out of a paint can. Somewhat like an abstract artist, today we see an up and coming contemporary artist looking for new, unique, and free form concepts to make new art. One of the more famous works of our generation, speaking for the rest of the 30 somethings out there, is a motion picture that uses music and a closer look at how film and time are correlated. It is quite successful and has been held in high regard by contemporary artists and critics throughout the world. The big thing to understand is that, much like fashion trends and styles have evolved and faded out over the years, so has traditional art. A contemporary artist is still allowed to use a paintbrush and a canvas but it is also perfectly acceptable for them to use pieces of metal, iron, and steel to forge a new piece out of scraps.

There is no trick to finding a contemporary artist who is considered ‘the best’ or a the ‘new Michelangelo.’ Instead, the saying ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ determines what we find attractive. Today, a contemporary artist is more likely to create something that qualifies as abstract rather than traditional art but, thanks to the individual freedom each artist is innately granted, that does not deem it good nor bad. It is all about what the viewer of a contemporary artists work sees that determines whether they like it or not.