Modern Art

Modern art is often misunderstood by many people. While there are numerous modern oil paintings that feature contemporary art and can find a place in our homes, most individuals tend to choose landscape oil paintings or paintings of recognizable objects instead of more abstract or unconventional works. This is because many people don’t fully understand contemporary art and see it as simply a collection of shapes or colors that don’t resemble anything, and which they believe they could replicate using their existing artistic skills. However, this perspective is a major injustice and misses the true essence of contemporary art.

The essence of landscape oil paintings or paintings of objects is to represent those subjects faithfully. With impressionism, the aim is to ‘suggest’ the image with less detail. But in either case, the painting essentially depicts something that the artist has observed. Arguably, this does not require a great deal of creativity, and for enthusiasts of contemporary art, it may seem almost mundane to merely reproduce something that already exists.

In contrast, contemporary art and many modern oil paintings aim to depict something that is not tangible or visible. Shapes, lines, splashes of paint, or sometimes even accurate renderings of objects are used to convey an emotion or a feeling. Often, the intention behind contemporary art is not immediately evident to the viewer, and in this sense, it can be a challenge for them to decipher what the artist was trying to convey. In some cases, contemporary art is ‘open to interpretation,’ allowing the viewer to project their own inspirations onto the canvas, making the painting a collaborative experience. By conveying emotions or inspirations, contemporary art can evoke a more profound emotional response than a realistic depiction, and it can be thought-provoking, uplifting, or even occasionally unsettling.

What makes contemporary art intriguing is that it prompts you to think. You contemplate its meaning and attempt to discern the statement it is making. Additionally, some contemporary art displays incredible creativity, combining various images and inspirations, and even employing different painting techniques not found elsewhere. If you have a painting of fruit on your wall, it may go unnoticed. However, if you have a piece of contemporary art, it is likely to attract attention and potentially initiate a conversation.

With contemporary art, artists are not constrained by conventions and can create whatever they can imagine. At the same time, contemporary art does not have a predetermined ‘purpose,’ and when you consider that the purposes we assign to things in our lives are ultimately arbitrary, contemporary art mimics life by creating things for the sake of creation itself rather than to resemble something tangible. In this way, contemporary art, especially in the form of modern oil paintings, is raw and authentic art that is both fascinating and evocative. For something a bit different, consider exploring contemporary art.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME