eBook Contemporary masters

CONTEMPORARY MASTERS

FOREWORD The second half of the 20th century was marked by one of the biggest breaks with the past ever to be witnessed in the history of art. For over 40 years indeed, it has been obvious that a new movement overtook Modern Art: that movement is known as Contemporary Art. Modern Art was undoubtedly an audacious art movement, although it remained within the traditional aesthetics lines. But, unlike the Moderns, Contemporary artists have emancipated from all conventions and have introduced a disruption even deeper than the one that had already occurred at the beginning of the century.

and classicism after the Second World War shatters this idea. This era will be the age of glory for Modern Art, recognised by all the main cultural institutions in the Western world. The Masters of this movement are praised, especially Matisse and Picasso. tably four leaders of the abstract movement. Hans Hartung, Master of informal art and undoubtedly

dary names like Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselmann. They depict the urban scene and give visibility to the immense world of consumer goods that are the daily surroundings of these societies. ghting a fascination for the trivial that is tainted with political commitment. Niki de Saint Phalle, the only female artist in the movement, differentiates herself from her peers by a strong and obvious New Realism, an art practice that was oblivious to the worldwide success of Pop Art, emerges with

the other side, Sam Francis developed in his abstract works a new aesthetics of colour that is now widely recognised.

Through their art, these artists embody the questioning of the moral and artistic Man in his quest ment with Jean Dubuffet, who renewed the artistic vocabulary of the period.

become a global practice.

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art stage.

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An overview of Contemporary Art must inevitably take into account the emergence of new artistic

and civilisation are no longer part of the monopoly of the Western Christian society but are rather moving to other spheres including political and social changes that greatly work in favour of dereluctance and obvious political tensions, Chinese art wanted to critique the living conditions and the government in place.

representatives of British Contemporary Art and his work deals mainly with the mutability of the Opie, he reduces the image to the essential and transgresses the boundary between painting and media. the acceptable and the outrageous.

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of a collective yet individual changing society.

nothing the canvas. panese youth and result in a constant introspective search of identity. The ill being and quest for identity are inscribed in the vast majority of work by artists from these new artistic scenes.

No more predominant tendencies in painting will be seen before the new millennium, and neither will and about identity? Such a conclusion would be simplistic and inaccurate. that of the New English Sculpture, some subjects appear recurrent such as the body, the space, new technologies and the media. thought and that they will rather trigger knee-jerk reactions to the viewer. mortality and the consciousness of the end. On the other hand, Marc Quinn is one of the leading 4

Finally, design is the culmination of artistic liberation. At the border of the visual arts, design has invaded our environment through its uniqueness. Ron Arad today remains one of the most famous designers of the world, both in the artistic sphere and on the market. whose work has contributed to the progression and evolution of art history.

Gilles Dyan Founder and Chairman Opera Gallery Group

Jean-David Malat Director Opera Gallery London

Acrylic on canvas

Literature Fondation Hans Hartung et Anna-Eva Bergman

Oil on canvas

Provenance Galerie ProtĂŠe, Paris Private collection, Paris

catalogue

Literature

Oil on canvas

Provenance

Provenance

Acquired from the artist Acquired by the present owner by descent from the above

Literature

Acrylic on canvas

Acrylic on canvas

ANDY WARHOL

Silkscreen ink and acrylic on canvas

Provenance

Estate of the Artist

ANDY WARHOL

Silkscreen ink and acrylic on canvas

Provenance

Galerie Bischofberger, Zurich

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TOM WESSELMANN

Enamel on laser-cut steel

Provenance

Sidney Janis Gallery, New York Private collection, Palm Beach

lour 22

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Hope, red-blue

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Fiberglass and polyester painted

Provenance

ARMAN

Acrylic with brush on canvas

Acrylic and silkscreen

Provenance

Gagosian Gallery, New York Galerie Beaubourg, Paris Jose Mugrabi, New York Private collection, New York Private collection, Greenwich

Literature

Oil, pencil and ink on paper laid down on canvas

Oil on canvas

Hero here, 2004 reverse) Oil on canvas

Provenance Private Collection, Geneva

Literature

Notes

Oil on canvas

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Abstract Acrylic on canvas

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Acrylic on canvas

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Acrylic and collage on paper laid down on canvas

Provenance

Private collection, France

Oil on canvas

Acrylic on gesso panel

Aluminium, vinyl and lights

Gouache, charcoal and gold leaf on paper

Provenance Acquired from the above by the present owner

SEEN

Aerosol on canvas

Pre-Raphaelite woman

Marilyn head Coat hangers, edition of 4

Little Angel

RON ARAD

Mirror-polished steel and steel mesh tinted pink, edition The Gallery Mourmans

Literature

RON ARAD

Seating, lacquered steel and leather, unique piece

Literature

Collings Matthew, Ron Arad talks to Matthew Collings, Pahidon Press, London, 2004, drawing of the model in black and white p.40

Notes made objects.

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