Contemporary art is art created now by artists who live in our time. It allows us to reflect on society and the topics that are important to us and the rest of the world. It is part of a wider cultural discussion about bigger contextual frameworks including identity, family, community, and country. 

However, because of its diversity, this art style is difficult to identify. Some say that the fundamental method and objective of modern art is to question the nature of the artwork itself. It might also cause the audience to ponder what constitutes art. As a result, this type of work is not very standard, and it may be more difficult to characterize accurately than any other genre of art.

While artists in the past were frequently affected by religion, mythology, and the needs of their paying clientele, today’s artists can be inspired by much more, and their work frequently evolves out of their own interests or expressions of self. Frequently, their art reflects their own culture, including current political climates and popular trends.

There is substantial discussion regarding whether self-taught artists working now are regarded modern artists or if their work is considered contemporary art. Because these artists are self-taught and may be operating outside the realm of trained artists, the common consensus is that their work should not be classified as art. 

“We are concerned with the relationship between art and life. Contemporary art is only intelligible in terms of its relationship to our life” – David Elliott