/r/ContemporaryArt

Photograph via snooOG

A place for people interested in contemporary art and the contemporary art world, art news, relevant theory and conversation about contemporary artists. Note that no self-promotion of any kind is allowed on this subreddit.

A place for people interested in Contemporary Art and the Contemporary Art world, art news, relevant theory and conversation about contemporary artists.

For this subreddit "Contemporary" generally means "current art", and discussions about art from more than 20 years ago should go to /r/ArtHistory. This subreddit is focused on visual art and expression and generally isn't the best place to post stuff about fiction, narrative cinema, poetry and the like.


Don't post your own work. This sub is not for self promotion of any kind, and we prefer posts that are professional in nature.


  1. Links to articles in professional art publications are preferred. Please do not link to Facebook, Deviant Art, CNN/BBC or similar sites. Links to low quality content may be removed at the mods discretion.

  2. Play nice. We expect a high level of discourse. Be thoughtful and compassionate. If you have to make a choice between being right and being kind, please be kind. Insulting, trolling, flaming, derogatory or offensive comments may be removed. Users who do not abide by this rule may be banned. People will have dumb questions about art. This is ok.

  3. Post that are primarily polemics, soapboxing, rants, short-form writing, or thinly veiled excuses to talk to yourself about the evils of post-modernism or whatever will be deleted at the mod's discretion.

  4. No self promotion. Don't post your own artwork or projects. Submissions should have to do with professionals working in dialogue with each other.

  5. Not a place for art requests or artwork ID. Calls for submissions, open calls and residency opportunities are allowed. Post artwork identification requests to /r/WhatIsThisPainting/

  6. No complaining about the rules. The mods will consider thoughtful suggestions about the rules from long-time contributors of this subreddit, but relatively new users who insist on having in-depth discussions about why we're bad at moderating will be banned. Moderation is complicated, and mods don't have time or obligation to explain the intricacies to every new user.

  7. No reposts


Other Art Subreddits

MuseumPros - Museums professionals and conservation

ArtHistory - Go here if you want to discuss art from more than 20 years ago.

ArtCrit - For posting your own work

Painting - For posting your own work

Art - Reddit's official huge very broad art subreddit


• if your post doesn't show up it many be stuck in the spam filter. Email the mods and we'll take a look

/r/ContemporaryArt

46,380 Subscribers

1

Venice Biennale

Do you think it’s a good idea to go the Venice Biennale on the opening weekend?

0 Comments
2024/03/14
17:29 UTC

1

Is the (online) international master in arts and culture management offered by Rome business school good??

0 Comments
2024/03/14
16:46 UTC

1

SAIC or UAL

I got into SAIC with a 22k a year scholarship for BA in film and I got into the UAL pre-degree course also for film (still waiting on the UG decision which is taking extra long.) I have no idea what choice to make. Although I like the interdisciplinary course at SAIC more, it's surprisingly more expensive than going to UAL and you're kind of trapped in middle America. Travel and location is extremely important to me and in London I could travel easily and also have a lot to explore in such a big city. I'm from NYC and have been studying film in high school so I'm already used to cities. I need some guidance on what to choose LOL

1 Comment
2024/03/14
12:46 UTC

0

Would you paint after an AI image as a reference for a paid commission?

I'm a traditional artist and painter myself. I've felt it difficult to accept commission works previously, as customers generally have a hard time explaining what they want - unless they just give me a photo as a reference.

That made me think, how about the customer and I make an AI image together, of what the customer is looking for - and then I can use that as my reference. Of course I'll re do the ai image to reflect my own painting style, but it's a good starting point in terms of colours and the general scene of the painting.

Would you be open doing the same? If no, why not? If yes, under what terms with the customer? Thanks!

22 Comments
2024/03/14
12:18 UTC

0

Studying New media/AI/Video Games

Hey so I am preparing to switching my major completely and transfer schools. Currently I am studying art and I sm interesting in something more theory based with a bit more of a chance of finding a job – Interactive media studies.

Do any of you have a experience or advice regarding studying this?

0 Comments
2024/03/14
11:15 UTC

10

How can I learn enough to carry on a conversation with my coworkers?

So I just started a job at one of the largest blue chip galleries. I love art but have no real clue about the art industry or any of the “well known” artists aside from the very famous ones.

Some names that have come up and the level of artists I want to learn more about include Anna Weyant, Sasha Gordon, Jamian julian Villani, Marilyn Minter, Jonas Wood, Dana Schutz plus more.

I’m currently reading “how to collect art” by Magnus Resch and am thinking about reading “Art is life” by Jerry Saltz although still not sure.

Any suggestions or recomendations? I looked into Art21 already but not really sure where to start with their catalog.

20 Comments
2024/03/14
03:20 UTC

15

Advice for a post undergrad artist

Hi everyone. I am a 24 year old and I graduated undergrad with a degree in sculpture this past winter. I am currently navigating the mysterious void of post grad life. It gets overwhelming at times as I’m sure some of you know. I’m trying to maintain a studio practice as well as learn how to be a person in the world. I’m pretty burnt out already, and fretting about that and a bunch of other more nebulous ideas pertaining to “longevity” etc.
I was wondering if any artists with some more life experience under their belt have any words of encouragement or personal anecdotes they could share about their time after undergrad, where they are now, etc. How you dealt with this transition period.

25 Comments
2024/03/13
23:26 UTC

1

Gallery artists using animation

Do people have recommendations of gallery artists who use/have used animation in their work? I know a few examples like Robert Breer and William Kentridge but would love to know more! 🙂

9 Comments
2024/03/13
22:46 UTC

2

What is the best funded/cheap MFA program that specializes in figurative drawing/painting?

I am a figurative artist that studied illustration in undergrad. I've hit a bit of a snag professionally, and I am tired of teaching kids art. I want to develop more, get some shows and teach college level, but I am terrified of going into debt for art. When I look at the funded MFA programs in my area, almost none have students that make figurative drawings & paintings.

The school with alumni I like the most tend to be non-funded programs on the east coast.

Are there any funded programs with good figurative painting/drawing focuses/professors?

5 Comments
2024/03/13
16:33 UTC

27

who has gone to art school in their 30’s?

i’d love to hear your stories, i’ll share mine too.

28 Comments
2024/03/13
14:29 UTC

3

MFA Slade worth it?

I got a place in the MFA programme at Slade (UCL). However the fees are crazy at over £15,000 a year for a UK student so £30,000 in total.

The UK gov only gives out postgrad loans for £12-£13,000 leaving a gap of £17,000 to be paid without any living costs etc.

I am a mature student and have enough savings to cover this just about - but is this worth it? Some good artists have gone through the MFA at Slade but I am worried that it is potentially just a huge waste of money and I Ould be better spending my savings on something more useful?

18 Comments
2024/03/13
13:18 UTC

14

Which famous contemporary artists never went to art school?

I know Maurizio Cattelan never went, and Hirst only did two years at Goldsmiths if I remember correctly. Are there other examples?

17 Comments
2024/03/13
12:14 UTC

6

Is it better to sell your Art or sell an Art Service?

Do you guys think it’s more profitable to sell you Art based on your portfolio (eg. customs, prints, Art booths, website) OR sell an Art service (eg. teaching, art community)?

4 Comments
2024/03/13
02:40 UTC

1

Keys that fit Artist's loft canvases?

I need some keys that fir canvases from artist's loft, tried a couple different kinds but they all go in crooked.

Edit* Fit not fir.

0 Comments
2024/03/12
21:29 UTC

1

A. Danto recommendations

I’ve ofc the famously infamous “End Of Art” and “After the End of Art” and I am preparing for the “Death Of Art”. What else should I add to my reading list? I was supposed to write an essay/hate on his philosophy because I was thinking of him as very hegelian, learned that situation is more complex ofc and didn’t write that hate. BUT now I WANT to know MORE.

2 Comments
2024/03/12
20:04 UTC

5

How do you get paid for your art?

16 Comments
2024/03/12
17:17 UTC

5

Any idea what model Jon Rafman may have used for that Kanye clip?

Speculations welcome – thank you guys!

16 Comments
2024/03/12
12:18 UTC

4

Looking for a particular film I saw in a museum about a year ago....

Hi all,

I'll cut straight to it, hopefully you can help. I saw a video not too long ago in a museum that had the following things that I remember:
- A woman and her daughter were talking about ceramics or fine china that was buried in the ground during a war. The idea was that they did this so that if anyone ever denied that they owned this land they could dig up the plates and "prove" it was their land.
- The scenery and general vibe was dark. I think there was a lot of desert and sand imagery.
- I believe it was by a Palestinian or Israeli Woman Director/Artist and the conversation of her films were all related to the ongoing situation.

Sorry for the lack of details but if its something you know or remember, I'd love to revisit them. I remember some of her other films were really high quality and interesting settings and themes.

Thanks for your help!

5 Comments
2024/03/12
12:15 UTC

15

People who went to rural, unknown, or lesser known MFA schools, where are you now?

Inspired by this post by u/poorpainter: people who went to top mfa schools, where are you now?

Just checking in! I went to a rural Canadian school because of a full scholarship (and I'm very poor). Graduated in 2021 and I teach at several post-secondary schools as a sessional.

19 Comments
2024/03/12
08:21 UTC

11

Books like "The Natural Way to Draw" by Nicolaides?

Hi!
Picking up Nicolaides' book was a big eye-opener after years of grinding and getting tired of academic drawing.
I was wondering if there are any more similarly forward-thinking pieces on practising art, I'm especially curious how would you design similar exercises without any sort of model or with just a sketchbook (my space and budget are extremely limited right now).

Sorry if this post is not on-topic for this sub

Hope you're all doing good and all the best!

2 Comments
2024/03/12
05:31 UTC

3

Maybe y’all can help. Cranbrook or state school MFA?

I got accepted to Cranbrook (sculpture), RISD (sculpture), and a state school (sculpture). State school is free with stipend. Cranbrook is well….Cranbrook! Most of my undergraduate professors went to Cranbrook and loved it. I’m torn. I feel like the debt may be worth the status and connections of Cranbrook. I received a $20,000 scholarship per year which would almost halve my tuition. I visited Cranbrook today and was impressed with the freedom and AIR. RISD is 120k with my scholarship so that’s a no-go.

What do now?

Edit: sculpture programs Edit 2: Kent State University

6 Comments
2024/03/12
02:57 UTC

50

People who went to top mfa schools, where are you now?

I went to a good state school, with a relatively unknown mfa program. I'm doing pretty well. I teach fulltime at a small public university but as teaching faculty, not tenure. I'm a few years out of my mfa. I've had some solo and two person shows at colleges, art centers, and emerging galleries, attended residencies and so on.

I got my mfa pretty close after my bfa. Sometimes I wonder if I would've developed my portfolio more and gotten into a more known program, I'd have more opportunities. I see a lot of, in particular, installation based artists from top ranked programs whose work isn't bad, but is painfully average, but they are doing well.

How much do you all think the prestige of your programs actually helped you? Or does it really just come down to family wealth to get a career boosted.

Sometimes I think about applying for another mfa even, and would go if I got a good scholarship.

53 Comments
2024/03/12
02:05 UTC

25

Any artists that are using comedy but are not too ironic or serious about humor

Trying to look for some comedic insipration through visual art. I have some references in different medias, such as modern cartoons using "smart" slapstick. Or either some lighthearted romcoms that could easily be seen as over the top with camera work and writting/acting. I've seen some artists through social media that are mixing memes and irony/being very meta. Usually I just have a little smirk when I look at this type of comedic art. But I'm trying to find something more lighthearted/silly. Art as a good written joke, not just number of funny objects/things mixed together. If you guys have any ideas.

28 Comments
2024/03/11
17:33 UTC

2

Does being shown at one of the big art fairs mean you've made it?

I'm talking Frieze and Art Basel type of fairs. Or can you still be a struggling artist despite being shown in the big arenas?

29 Comments
2024/03/11
10:53 UTC

16

What does good gallery representation mean to you?

Hi everyone! love to hear your thoughts on what good gallery representation means to you. In exchange for a 50% commission, what should galleries do for their artists?

28 Comments
2024/03/11
04:04 UTC

1

Wholesome or optimistic artworks/ artists on climate change?

I have been researching on the climate crisis recently, and during that time I have looked at many artworks from every media. But it's hard to find ones that sparks hope, or even discuss it? I understand the dire situation we're in right now, and artist have every rights to express their anger, sadness or despair at the way people are handling the crisis, but that's just makes me more curious about the people who are the opposite, who are hopeful and optimistic about the future.

So I'm hoping you can help me find some artists/ artwork that you know? Thank you everyone!

2 Comments
2024/03/11
02:54 UTC

9

What are your thoughts on Mainframe Studios "the largest nonprofit creative workspace in the nation"? Are there other places like this?

Mainframe Studios calls itself the "largest nonprofit creative workspace in the nation," and it's located in Des Moines, Iowa. It's a ten minute walk from my apartment. Every first Friday of the month they allow the public to come in for three hours to check out the studios. During this time people buy drinks and walk around, looking at the various things for sale. Link: https://www.mainframestudios.org/about

Whenever I go, it just feels... so sanitized? Clean. Consumable. Corporate America friendly. In other words, it feels like artwork meant to be palpable, like something you'd find at Hobby Lobby. That being said, it sounds cool to have a little shop. Starting rate is $300. When I go, I do see the same artwork on display, so it does make me wonder how any of them are making a living. At the beginning of the year I was invited to be part of an art sale, and I really enjoyed it, but maybe I should just open an Etsy instead?

I don't know, I feel like I should like Mainframe Studios, but something about it feels off to me. The cousin of the founder ran for mayor last year. It just feels like another monopoly of sorts to me instead of something truly done in the name of art. I was just curious, what do you guys think of places like this?

19 Comments
2024/03/10
22:57 UTC

3

Looking for references about the labour in the artistic sector

Hey guys! I'm graduating with a bachelor's degree in Dance and I'm researching the labour in the artistic sector. ( Out of curiosity, the name of my research project is: Professional activity of the bachelor of dance: where to go after university?)

Because of that, I'm looking for realistic references about working with art and working with culture. Could anyone point out references on this topic?

2 Comments
2024/03/10
02:42 UTC

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