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Art of the 20th and 21st centuries is marked by a rapid succession of diverse and often radical art movements that broke from tradition to explore new mediums, styles, and concepts.

These movements reflect the significant social, political, and technological changes of their times.

20th Century Art Movements

The 20th century saw the United States emerge as a global hub for visual expression, with artists exploring both realism and abstraction, and a focus on expressing a spiritual response to the changed conditions of life.

Peter Gric, 1968 | Magic Realism painter

Fauvism (c. 1905-1910): Known for its use of daring, non-naturalistic colors and bold brushwork to evoke emotional responses.

Artists: Henri Matisse, André Derain.

Cubism (c. 1907-1914): Pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, this movement deconstructed subjects into geometric shapes and depicted them from multiple perspectives simultaneously, challenging traditional perspective.

Expressionism (c. 1910-1930): Emphasized raw emotion and subjective interpretation over realistic representation, using distorted forms and intense colors to convey inner turmoil and anxiety.

Artists: Edvard Munch, Egon Schiele, Wassily Kandinsky.

Dadaism (c. 1915-1924): An "anti-art" movement that embraced absurdity, chance, and irrationality, emerging as a radical response to the disillusionment following World War I.

Artists: Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray.

Daniel Gerhartz, 1965 | Impressionist painter

Surrealism (c. 1924-1966): Aimed to unlock the unconscious mind and explore dreams and fantasies, often combining realistic details with bizarre, unexpected elements.

Artists: Salvador Dalí, René Magritte.

Abstract Expressionism (c. 1945-1960): The first major American art movement to gain international recognition, characterized by spontaneous, gestural painting and large fields of color to express individual emotion.

Artists: Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning.

Pop Art (c. 1950s-1970s): Both celebrated and critiqued consumer culture and mass media by incorporating imagery from advertising and popular culture.

Artists: Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring.

Minimalism (c. 1960s-1970s): Rejected emotional expression, focusing instead on simple, geometric forms, clean lines, and a reduced color palette to highlight the inherent qualities of form and space.

Artists: Donald Judd, Carl Andre, Yayoi Kusama.

Conceptual Art (c. 1960s-1970s): Prioritized the idea or concept behind a work over its aesthetic or material qualities, often using text or instructions rather than traditional art objects.

21st Century Art Trends

Art of the 21st century is defined as the work of artists living in the current era, often reflecting the world we share and utilizing a vast variety of materials and means, including new electronic technologies.

Contemporary art often blends media and challenges traditional boundaries.

Installation Art: Became a major movement in the late 20th century and has blossomed in the 21st, addressing the entire experience of moving through a multi-media space.

Derek Kinzett, 1966 ~ Wire sculptor

Digital Art: Uses digital technology as both a creative tool and a medium, encompassing computer-generated imagery, virtual reality, and interactive media.

Performance Art: Continues from its 20th-century roots, using the artist's body as the central medium in live, ephemeral actions to address social and political issues.

Artists: Marina Abramović, Yoko Ono.

Street Art: Includes murals and graffiti that transform public spaces and often serve as powerful voices for social and political commentary.

Artists: Banksy, Keith Haring.

Immersive Art: Consists of interactive environments that combine light, sound, and digital technologies to explore perception and the relationship between reality and illusion.

Artists: Yayoi Kusama, Olafur Eliasson.

List of 20th-21th century Artists and artistic movements definition

20th-21th century Art