Damien Hirst is probably one of the most controversial contemporary artists in the world. While some people call his work shallow and commercial, others see it as an acute critique of the consumerist society. Hirst has even been accused of plagiarism and sued multiple times by other artists. Nevertheless, his artwork never lost its appeal and relevance and continues to be sought after by influential art collectors.

Dorothea Lange, a pioneering photographer of the Great Depression era, is rightfully credited with engraving the memories of the horrific injustice people faced during that period of US history into the collective mind. When hunger, sickness, and poverty were omnipresent in the country, she used her power, connections, and immense talent to tell stories of those who desperately needed help.

One might argue that telling a story through visual means is one of the most impactful things any artist can do. Hui Long is a surrealist photographer who successfully visualizes her experiences and emotions utilizing diverse skillset. From photography to digital art to filmmaking, Long’s abilities help her convey the human experience in all its complexity.

Many artists use portraiture to explore subjects that are considered taboo. The genre provides an opportunity to closely inspect the most intimate parts of the human experience, creating a bond between the subject, artist, and audience. The sensual psychological portraits by Maryna Yukish, an artist from Ukraine, explore desire, physicality, romantic relationships, and the new roles of women in contemporary society.

If you are a Westerner, two things usually come to mind when Japanese visual art is mentioned: it is either the highly graphical traditional painting style or Japanese animation and comics. But you do not have to be an expert in contemporary Japanese art to have an idea of who Takashi Murakami is. Here are five fascinating facts about the artist who has forever changed the definition of art.

Have you ever wondered why artists choose to work with certain materials? For Claudio Parentela, an established artist from Italy, this choice is very much driven by symbolism. A chaotic clash of influences, ideas, and feelings, his mixed-media art represents a constant search for strong emotions and creative outlets.

The punk community has always attracted those who do not fit in with the restrictive social norms. The rebellious spirit of this movement is particularly appealing to many LGBTQ+ people who seek the freedom of expression that punk provides. We cannot talk about the history of punk art without mentioning the work of Fernando Carpaneda, a Brazilian artist who has been creating sculptures and paintings centering on queerness and punk since the 80s.