Cover: KAWS, THE KAWS ALBUM, which sold for $14.8 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, setting a new record for the artist. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
In the last decade, the Internet has been gaining a lot of attention in the art world. For artists, it has become a new way to self-promote allowing them to reach audiences around the world in a matter of a few clicks. Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter are an easy way to follow our favourite artists and even reach out to them directly.
Below, we present a list of seven most interesting artists present in virtual reality. Some of them rose to prominence before the Internet revolution of the 21st century and some have gained international attention more recently. Keep an eye on them – you’ll definitely see their names in the headlines again!
Banksy @banksy
In the last decade, Banksy has become a synonym of contemporary street art. This English artist whose identity is still a mystery, is famous for his satirical works touching on the subject of politics and his anti-establishment attitude. His Instagram profile can surprise – that’s where Banksy posts his new works, always accompanied by the artist’s thoughts and comments on the current socio-political situation.
Kara Walker @kara_walker_official
Her career began when she won a MacArthur Fellows (1997) at 28, becoming one of the youngest recipients of the prize. Her recent achievements include ‘Fons Americanus,’ an impressive fountain created in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall as part of yearly Hyundai Commission organised by the museum. You can take a closer look at the installation on Walker’s Instagram profile where she documented the artistic process behind it as well as other works dealing with the issues of racism, identity and violence.
KAWS @kaws
The American artist behind the acronym, Brian Donnelly, is known for his colourful works inspired by contemporary pop culture. Lately, KAWS has become one of the most desired artists among the young generation of collectors, celebrities and music stars like Pharrell Williams. KAWS reputation on the art market was confirmed in 2019 when his painting ‘THE KAWS ALBUM,’ inspired by The Simpsons was auctioned for $14mln at Sotheby’s. His Instagram profile breaks popularity records as well and has more than 3mln followers.
Tracey Emin @traceyeminstudio
This controversial British artist is famous for her provocative, autobiographical and confessional artwork. Her recent works include expressive nudes and neon text including elements of emotional poetry but it’s her installations that made her truly famous. In 1999, Tracey Emin was nominated for Turner Prize for ‘My Bed,’ a readymade installation consisting of an unmade bed in which the artist had spent several weeks during a depressive episode. Eventually, Emin didn’t get the award but her artwork drew large crowds to the Tate and brought her international fame. Fifteen years later, the infamous bed was sold at auction for a whopping £2.5mln. The artist is most active on her Twitter profile where she shares her newest work and exhibitions.
Wyświetl ten post na Instagramie.Today on BBC Radio 4 at 1:00pm BST, The World This Weekend Tracey Emin reads a love poem to Margate.
Kehinde Wiley @kehindewiley
This New York based painter is famous for his distinctive naturalistic portraits of young black men and women. In his work, he often uses traditional motifs and symbols mixed with contemporary culture elements discussing the issues of race and identity. He gained international fame in 2017 when he was commissioned to paint Barack and Michelle Obama’s portraits for the National Portrait Gallery in Washington. Check out his unique, colourful paintings and other works on his Instagram profile.
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Damien Hirst @damienhirst
The richest living artist in the world has been generating major controversy in the art world for years. 25 years ago, he won Turner Prize for his ‘Mother and Child Divided’ – a sculpture consisting of glass-walled tanks containing bisected animals preserved in formaldehyde solution, which gave rise to his international fame making him one of the most successful and sought-after contemporary artists.
Cindy Sherman @cindysherman
In 1999, four years after receiving MacArthur Fellowship, she was listed as one of top 10 living artists by the ARTnews magazine. In her photographs, Sherman explores femininity, body – often deformed, eating disorders and often engages in a play with stereotypes. In 2011, one of her photographs was sold for almost $4mln, making her one of the most recognisable and influential contemporary artists.
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