Meet the Artists Who Could Be Your Next Obsession

Feature image: Helena Minginowicz, Body/ Disposable 2025, acrylic on paper towel, 23x48 cm courtesy of the artist

The contemporary art world is brimming with boundary-pushing creatives who challenge conventional ideas, embrace unique mediums, and craft deeply resonant works. From conceptual explorations of fame and addiction to immersive abstract compositions inspired by music, these artists offer fresh perspectives that captivate and inspire. Whether through bold color gradients, surreal characters, or introspective themes, each of these visionaries brings something distinctive to the cultural conversation. If you want to expand your artistic radar, these are the names you need to know—and follow.

Born in 1984 in Poznań, Poland, Helena Minginowicz is a contemporary artist who explores human perception, relationships, and the transient nature of existence. A graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at the Magdalena Abakanowicz University of Arts in Poznań (2011), she employs airbrush techniques to create smooth tonal transitions and sharply defined contours, evoking the aesthetics of advertising banners and digital media. Her paintings challenge the boundaries between the visible and the perceived, using visual illusions to provoke deeper reflection on how we filter reality through personal experiences and emotions.

Minginowicz’s choice of materials reinforces themes of impermanence and vulnerability. She incorporates disposable objects—paper towels, plastic bags, and single-use face masks—contrasting their fragility with the durability of traditional painting. These overlooked materials highlight the paradox of modern values, questioning the tension between beauty and disposability, freedom and constraint. She is particularly drawn to mass-produced, low-quality objects, especially those with manufacturing defects, finding beauty in their imperfection and resonance in their ephemeral nature.

Her work also investigates human connection, capturing moments of closeness, distance, intimacy, and detachment. Her compositions often incorporate symbolic elements like animals, blend classical art's grandeur with contemporary cultural references, from memes to fruit sticker typography. Minginowicz’s artistic language moves fluidly between high and low culture, drawing inspiration from the raw, unfiltered imagery of daily life while infusing it with deeper philosophical meaning.

Recognized across Europe, she has exhibited in Everyday Stories at Galeria M in Wrocław (2023), Lies of Summer at Galeria Dystans in Kraków (2023), and was a finalist in the 16th Edition of the Bielska Jesień Painting Biennale at Galeria Bielska BWA in Bielsko-Biała (2023). Through her interdisciplinary approach, Minginowicz transforms the ordinary into something profound, urging viewers to reconsider what is often dismissed and to find meaning in the fleeting, disposable moments of modern life.

Follow Helena here.

Daniel Allen Cohen is a contemporary artist renowned for transforming popular culture into thought-provoking conceptual art. Self-taught and driven to explore society's intricacies, Cohen delves into themes such as fame, addiction, wealth, and modern luxury. His work often blurs the line between critique and admiration, inviting audiences to reflect on the paradoxes within a consumer-driven world. 

In 2015, Cohen launched the series "This Is Addictive," reimagining societal vices and addictions as periodic table elements. This series showcases his ability to blend humor with critical thought, making heavy subjects approachable and encouraging deeper introspection about the narratives that shape our collective experience. 

Cohen's work is part of prominent collections, including those of Delta Airlines, Erewhon Market, and the Getty Family Private Collection. His recent collection “Gilded Icons” exhibited at CONTEXT Miami during Art Basel, 2024, where small-scale paintings elaborately framed, featuring public figures like Elon Musk, Steve Jobs and Donald Trump, flew off the walls in sales and even were subject to vandalism. In February and March 2025, he serves as the Artist in Residence at The Moore in Miami, Florida. Cohen will have his first museum exhibit, “To Be, Or To Have,” at White Space Black Box Museum in June, 2025. 

Follow Daniel here.

Linling Lu is a Baltimore-based artist renowned for her vibrant, circular abstract paintings featuring concentric rings of color. Born in 1983 in Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China, Lu initially trained as a classical pianist before transitioning to visual arts. She earned her BFA and MFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Lu's signature works, often large-scale tondos, are celebrated for their meditative qualities, inviting viewers into introspective experiences. Her musical background keenly influences her art, translating auditory elements into visual forms. In 2023, she presented "Soundwaves" at The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., an exhibition that visualized Philip Glass's "Etude no. 16" through spatial configurations of color and form. Her works are part of esteemed collections such as Microsoft Art, Louis Vuitton, CityCenterDC, and the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. 

In 2024, Arting Gallery published a comprehensive art book titled "LINLING LU," surveying her work from 2010 to the present. This 212-page volume offers an in-depth look at her notable series, including "One Hundred Melodies of Solitude," "Passage of Time," "Agitated Meditation," and "Block Sculptures." 

Lu's "One Hundred Melodies of Solitude, No.222" was displayed at the Baltimore Museum of Art through January 5, 2025. Her work is now represented exclusively by Arting Gallery, which is currently presenting an on-going installation of her recent works for VIP Private Viewing.

Follow Linling here.

Casper Brindle, born in 1968 in Toronto, Canada, is a Los Angeles-based painter and sculptor renowned for his abstract works that explore the interplay of color, light, and form. His art is heavily influenced by the Light and Space and Finish Fetish movements of the 1960s and 70s, as well as Minimalism and Color Field painting elements. Brindle apprenticed with Eric Orr, a pioneering artist of the Light and Space movement, which profoundly impacted his artistic development.

Brindle uses industrial materials such as automotive paints, resin, and airbrush techniques. His "Dislocated Stratum" series features expansive paintings with layered airbrushed sprays sealed under high-gloss resin, creating atmospheric gradations that shift with the viewer's perspective. In his "Aura" series, Brindle presents monochromatic pieces as paintings and relief wall sculptures, utilizing pearlescent paints and metallic leaf to produce a luminous effect. The "Portal" series evolves from the "Aura" paintings, incorporating richly saturated colors and gradients that radiate from a central metallic form, inviting deep contemplation. 

In 2017, Brindle expanded his practice to include large-scale kinetic sculptures, continuing his exploration of sensory perception and the dynamic qualities of light and color. His works have been exhibited extensively across the United States and internationally, including solo exhibitions such as "Light | Glyphs" at William Turner Gallery 2021. Brindle's art is in prominent collections, notably the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation and the Morningside College Collection in Sioux City, Iowa. His latest exhibit “Numina” is on view at the William Turner Gallery in Santa Monica through March 29th, 2025. 

Follow Casper here.

Carol Jazzar is a self-taught interdisciplinary artist based in El Portal, Florida, whose work bridges visual arts and writing. Rooted in themes of nature—both internal and external—her practice explores the psychological and spiritual dimensions of human experience. Through collage, drawing, photography, and writing, Jazzar harnesses the power of images to challenge perception, encouraging deeper reflection on the universal connections between the self, the natural world, and humanity at large.

From 2007 to 2014, Jazzar operated a contemporary art gallery from her property’s garage in Miami’s El Portal neighborhood, providing a platform for artists like Farley Aguilar and David Rohn, now featured in the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami’s permanent collection. Her impact on the Miami art scene extends beyond curation—she collaborates with clinical psychologist Veronica Dumas to lead workshops that use art as a tool for self-reflection and creative exploration.

Jazzar’s literary practice complements her visual work. Her book All (W-hole) of Me: Healing Through Art, The Art of Deconstructing and Recreating Oneself, available here, examines art’s therapeutic role in personal transformation. The book presents Jazzar’s third collage series (2018–2020), comprising 60 works that deconstruct and reassemble images from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Art in America, and ArtForum. These hybrid compositions, floating against stark white backgrounds, reconstruct fragmented fashion imagery into surreal, layered identities.

In October 2023, she discussed its themes with ICA Miami curator Stephanie Seidel. Currently, she is working on The Rebirth of Venus, a new book comprising 32 texts, 32 collages, and 32 astrological charts, presenting a female-centered hero’s journey through words, images, and symbols.

Follow Carol here.

Tyler Levitetz, born in 1989 in Delray Beach, Florida, is a multifaceted artist and chocolatier. Due to his innovative work with chocolate, he is often referred to as "the real Willy Wonka." He began his artistic journey by sculpting with unusable chocolate during production at his company, 5150 Chocolate Co., based in Delray Beach. This unconventional medium sparked his interest in sculpture, leading him to explore other materials and techniques. 

Levitetz's artistic practice encompasses a variety of mediums, with a focus on metal sculptures and paintings. His sculptural works are crafted from welded recycled sheet metal, which he hand-paints to bring his whimsical characters to life. These figures draw inspiration from cartoons and children's books, embodying a playful yet slightly menacing aesthetic. Influences such as Keith Haring's two-dimensional metal sculptures and Yayoi Kusama's textured statues are evident in his creations. 

One of Levitetz's notable series, "The Boiz," features characters that personify various emotions and thoughts. Each piece reflects his state of mind at the time of its creation, transforming intangible feelings into tangible, approachable forms. This series serves as a reminder to embrace one's inner child and not take life too seriously. In addition to his sculptural work, Levitetz has produced a range of paintings that complement his three-dimensional pieces. His art has been exhibited at venues such as the Arts Warehouse in Delray Beach and Avant Gallery, where he continues to captivate audiences with his unique blend of humor and introspection. 

Follow Tyler here.

Born in 1987 in New York, Clayton Schiff is a contemporary artist recognized for his dreamlike paintings that blend whimsy with deeper psychological undertones. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in 2009, Schiff lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. 

Schiff's art features animal-like characters set in poetic, often surreal environments. Drawing inspiration from children's book imagery, his soft-edged compositions initially appear playful and humorous. However, upon closer inspection, they reveal darker, haunting moods and absurdist themes, exploring the complexities of the human psyche. 

His work has been exhibited widely, including solo exhibitions such as "Puddle Drinkers" at 56 Henry in New York (2023) and "Close Quarters" at Harkawik in Los Angeles (2023). Group exhibitions include "Made in the Dark" at CLEARING, New York (2023), and "Universes 5" at The Hole, New York (2022). 

Schiff's paintings are part of several public collections, notably the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles and the Rubell Museum in Miami. Schiff’s work was most recently exhibited at the National Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) during Art Basel, 2024.

Follow Clayton here.

Camilla Engström, born in 1989 in Örebro, Sweden, is a self-taught artist currently residing in Los Angeles. Initially pursuing a career in fashion, she studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and worked as a fashion assistant. However, she transitioned to art, gaining recognition for her vibrant, surreal landscapes and the creation of her alter ego, "Husa." 

Engström's work is characterized by its joyful and humorous approach, often exploring themes of nature, femininity, and personal empowerment. Her paintings draw inspiration from various sources, including Swedish folklore, Surrealism, and post-Impressionist Synthetism. She meditates daily, allowing images to emerge during these sessions, which she then translates onto canvas without preparatory sketches, emphasizing an intuitive creative process. 

Her art has been exhibited internationally, with solo shows at Carl Kostyál in London and Shanghai, Over the Influence in Paris and Bangkok, and König Galerie in Berlin. Engström's work has also been featured in group exhibitions alongside renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso and Kiki Smith.

Follow Camilla here.

Art is constantly evolving, shaped by those who dare to see the world differently. The artists featured here are redefining their mediums, merging personal narratives with universal themes, and creating works that demand attention. 

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