In my point of view, contemporary art is absolutely present in contemporary households and can be recognized almost in every aspect of human life, since it has penetrated the way people communicate with each other more than ever before. Almost all-contemporary art forms have become the means through which personal interaction is described or the vehicle though which a specific message is accurately transmitted. Furthermore, increased attendance on art exhibitions, or substantial high levels of sales of various art forms, suggest that contemporary art is both publicly appreciated and highly understood.
Human creativity, along with the need of expressiveness, can be present to any contemporary creation that critics would define as an artistic attempt. As Picasso, the great Hispanic painter, has once pointed out, “art is something that makes people move towards a certain direction in life, or even conceptualize things from a different perspective, which they would have never consider before, if an artful creation had not revealed its mere existence.”
What is art? There exists not one but hundreds of definitions of art offered by renowned artists, scholars, and philosophers throughout the ages. Considered literally, art refers to any specialized skill, or human activities encompassing a wide range of fields like literature, music, painting, or sculpting. It’s the end but not the means that constitutes the success of art. A lot many artists believe in the cult of art for art’s sake. However, this function of art has been subjected to severe criticism by some of the noted scholars of the late 19th century who believed in the instructional quality of art. To them, art existed not just for aesthetic pleasure but was also associated with the purpose of converting the mind into a particular trend of thought.
Theories abound as to the true purpose of art. Whether didactic or aesthetic, there is no denying that art casts its influence on the observer’s mind. Times have changed and with it, artistry has undergone multiple changes too. If Romanticism and Classicism influenced art works of yester years, it is Realism, Impressionism, Fauvism, Dadaism, and Surrealism that have laid their impact on contemporary art. No wonder, contemporary art is distinctly different from the art works of earlier generations.
Australia is home to many contemporary art galleries, making it ideal for those thinking of combining a luxury holiday with art. Whether your interest lies in ceramics, sculpture, painting or one of the new media technologies, Australia has galleries to suit you. Here are our top 5 contemporary art galleries in Australia:
1. The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane