Art is an important way to communicate unique perspectives about the world and the human experience. Many people use contemporary and modern art interchangeably but have very different styles. Let's look at contemporary vs modern art and what makes each style distinct. At West Chelsea Contemporary, we proudly showcase contemporary and modern art from several incredibly talented local, national, and internationally acclaimed artists.

What is Modern Art?

Modern art refers to artwork created between the 1860s and the 1970s. These self-expressive works were made primarily on canvas to depict important cultural themes and to express philosophical ideas that were en vogue. Famous modern artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso are among the many talented people who revolutionized art by experimenting with new methods of expressing their views of the world. 

At the time, art was known for showing accurate and realistic world views. Modern artists threw everything out the window and began to express their views of the world in ways that didn't use the correct shading, sizing, or shapes. New styles, including Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism, Favism, Futurism, and more, were born, making the art world richer and better.

What is Contemporary Art?

Contemporary art depicts views of today's current political climate, pressing social issues, and important cultural perspectives. Contemporary artists live and create new art daily, pushing the boundaries of our perspectives and providing insight into the causes they're most passionate about. Their art is freely depicted in various mediums, including canvases, technology-based platforms, and graphic art. 

Often, contemporary art is criticized, leading people to ask whether a pile of rocks is indeed, art. These questions are exactly what contemporary artists are begging you to ask. They push the boundaries of art, what constitutes art, and why we see some things as mere objects and others as creative expressions. 

Contemporary vs Modern Art

Although many people use the terms interchangeably, there are many differences between contemporary and modern art. Although both styles are revolutionary and incredibly moving, they have unique characteristics that set each apart. 

The easiest way to determine whether a piece is contemporary or modern art is to look at its original creation date. Is the artist still alive, and are they still creating new work? Or was the piece created in the late 19th or early 20th centuries? 

Modern artists worked primarily on canvases to create visual works using methods that were revolutionary for their time. Conversely, contemporary art can be represented in all forms of media, including performance art and technology-based pieces. 

Interested in Purchasing Your Own Art Piece? Contact Us Today!

If you'd like to learn more about modern art vs contemporary art, or you'd like to see some magnificent works in person, we invite you to visit West Chelsea Contemporary. Our contemporary art museum in Austin, Texas, proudly hosts exhibitions that contain artwork from local, national, and internationally known artists.

Our gift shop and frame shop have a wide selection of contemporary art for sale from artists around the globe. Stop by to select a piece that speaks to you and bring it home to enjoy. We offer custom-framing services so your artwork is ready to display, and our friendly staff is happy to chat about the artists behind the work and their notable contributions to the art world. We can also recommend an artist or artwork that will look best in your space. 

Contact us to learn more about West Chelsea Contemporary today.

Image Credit: Theerapat Pawaprom, Shutterstock