While Hollywood cultivates the quick, crazy overnight stories, things don’t work this way in the global art market. The rule of thumb is that, in most cases, contemporary art celebrities are not born overnight. The “new blue-chip” market segment is cultivated through concerted efforts, including museum visibility, art fair and exhibition participation, and the label of prestige and exclusivity associated with an artist’s name and style. Here is a glimpse of the intricate process that has to take place before an artist turns into a market powerhouse.

The Role of Visibility

The starting steps that all artists need to take are usually done solo. This may be a personal website with digital copies of their artwork, some local collaborations with other artists or art curators, and independently organized exhibitions. If beginner artists can attract investors or art dealers, the process of gaining visibility may speed up. Yet, it’s essential to create offline and online presence before trying to reach new heights.

Institutional Support in Contemporary Art

A transformational stage in an artist’s career starts when they garner institutional support. Participation in a themed group exhibition or a solo show at a reputable gallery or museum can make a real difference to the artist’s reputation and standing on the local and global art stage. In other words, institutional validation reaffirms the artist’s value and relevance in contemporary art, giving them a driver for accelerated professional development.

Examples of Contemporary Artists Who Won Fame with a Unique Style

So, who can be honestly called a contemporary market powerhouse? Here are a few names that every art connoisseur and self-respecting collector should know today.

• Lucas Bernal is a Mexican-born post-digital abstractionist who creates unique paintings by merging algorithmic patterns with hand-painted gestures. Collectors highly value his canvases, as they sit at the intersection of human creative genius and digital code. Bernal’s works used to be modestly priced some time ago, but at present, their prices have gone upwards.
• Amina Okoye is a Nigerian figurative painter working in a studio in Berlin, who creates signature jewel-toned portraits at the intersection of realism and dreamlike symbolism. Her last three exhibitions sold out before the official opening, with each painting coming with a six-figure price tag.
• Mara Saito is a Kyoto-based sculptor working with recycled metal and clay composites. Her large-scale art objects, created in the eco-driven style, enjoy high demand among young collectors and sustainable art appreciators.

These and many other names showcase the process of rising to the top of popularity in the contemporary market of art. While certain styles still dominate demand, an artist’s original approach and consistent vision often play a greater role in audience acceptance.