Must-Know Contemporary Artists

Feature image: Sasha Gordon via Stephen Friedman Gallery

The art world is constantly evolving, shaped by visionary artists who push boundaries and redefine contemporary expression. Here are some of the most compelling artists today whose works captivate audiences and challenge artistic conventions, and of course, their Instagram handles. 

Sasha Gordon, born in 1998 in Somers, New York, is an American figurative painter known for her vibrant self-portraits that explore themes of identity, race, and sexuality. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2021, she quickly gained recognition with her first solo exhibition, "Enters Thief," at Matthew Brown Gallery in Los Angeles that same year. Her work has been featured in prominent group exhibitions, including "Wonder Women" at Jeffrey Deitch in 2022 and "Together in Time" at the Hammer Museum in 2023. In December 2023, Gordon's first solo museum show, "Surrogate Selves," opened at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, coinciding with Art Basel. By September 2024, she became the youngest artist to join the roster of David Zwirner Gallery, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career. 

Sasha Gordon’s work is a striking exploration of identity, self-perception, and cultural narratives. Her paintings often depict distorted yet deeply personal figures, reflecting themes of duality, self-exploration, and transformation. With a distinctively surreal and hyper-real approach, Gordon’s art offers an intimate yet universal look at personal identity and body politics.

Anna Kruhelska is a visual artist and practicing architect based in Łódź, Poland. With over 14 years of architectural experience, she has contributed to major projects in Russia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, honing her understanding of form, symmetry, and space. This extensive background has profoundly influenced her contemporary art practice, allowing her to blend architectural principles with artistic expression seamlessly. Kruhelska's work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions across Europe and the United States, including venues such as the Affordable Art Fair in London and Art Miami. Laura Rathe Fine Art in Houston will host an exhibition featuring Anna Kruhelska’s works alongside pieces by Michael Schultheis in May. The opening date is May 22, and Kruhelska plans to attend.

Specializing in abstract, three-dimensional wall reliefs, Kruhelska draws inspiration from minimalism, architectural composition, geometry, and origami. She meticulously handcrafts each piece by folding archival, light-resistant, acid-free paper into intricate patterns that play with light and shadow. Her creations often feature clean, crisp, white-on-white designs that change dynamically with the viewer's perspective, emphasizing the interplay between light and shade. Kruhelska's art invites viewers to explore the subtle complexities of form and the transformative effects of illumination on structured surfaces.

Lulu Lin, born in Taipei, Taiwan, is an interdisciplinary designer and illustrator known for her distinctive, experimental artworks that often subvert the human form in playful and surreal ways. She holds a Bachelor's degree in industrial design from Shih Chien University in Taiwan and a Master's degree in communication design from Designskolen Kolding in Denmark. Her creative process is driven by self-analysis and introspection, resulting in lumpy, fleshy figures that explore themes of identity and emotion. Lin's work has been featured in various exhibitions, including a site-specific showcase in Los Angeles curated by StandardVision in collaboration with Vellum LA. She shares her art under the moniker "Dig a Hole" on Instagram. 

Lin’s work moves fluidly between abstraction and figuration, creating compositions that evoke emotion through dynamic forms and textures. Whether using bold color palettes or subtle tonal variations, Lin challenges the viewer’s perception of space and movement, making their work a compelling study in visual storytelling.

Gary McMillan is a Canadian artist based in Calgary, Alberta, known for his surreal and quasi-surrealistic paintings and sculptures that explore dream-like worlds. He studied at the University of Calgary from 1978 to 1980, focusing on applied sciences and fine art, and later graduated with distinction in Painting and Printmaking from the Alberta College of Art + Design (now Alberta University of the Arts) in 1991. McMillan's work often features humanoid figures and unusual flora, inviting viewers into fictional lands that challenge conventional perceptions. In addition to his art practice, he has worked for over three decades as a professional wax model maker in the jewelry industry, providing custom designs for independent retailers. His art has been showcased in various exhibitions across Canada and the USA, including a notable "Galapagos" exhibition at the Harcourt House Artist Run Centre in Edmonton. 

Gary McMillan’s paintings fuse elements of realism with surrealist undertones, creating immersive worlds that are both familiar and dreamlike. His attention to detail and masterful use of light and shadow allows him to craft cinematic narratives, inviting viewers to linger and interpret their own stories within his work.

Marco Pariani, born in 1986 in Busto Arsizio, Italy, is an Italian artist renowned for his vibrant abstract paintings. He studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan from 2005 to 2010. In 2019, Pariani relocated to Brooklyn, New York, where the dynamic art scene has significantly influenced his work. His creative process involves layering tinted gesso, sanding to reveal textures, and applying oil and spray paint to craft dynamic compositions. Pariani's art often draws inspiration from found images, deconstructing them into abstract forms that challenge traditional perceptions. He has exhibited internationally, with notable shows at Skarstedt Gallery in London and Cheim & Read in New York. 

Marco Pariani’s paintings blend the raw energy of street art with the refinement of contemporary abstraction. His work often features layered textures, unexpected color combinations, and a sense of movement reflecting urban life's chaotic beauty. Pariani’s ability to merge spontaneity with control makes his pieces particularly compelling.

Jan Kaláb, born in 1978 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, is a prominent contemporary artist renowned for his vibrant abstract designs featuring organic shapes across various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and street murals. As a pioneer of the Czech graffiti scene in the 1990s, he initially worked under the pseudonyms "Cakes" and "Point," creating dynamic street art and 3D graffiti. Kaláb earned his Master's degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in 2006. He has since exhibited his work globally, with solo shows in cities such as New York, Miami, London, Paris, Shanghai, and Rio de Janeiro. His art explores the interplay of shape and color, aiming to uncover universal beauty through novel perspectives and forms. Notably, his works are part of esteemed collections, including those at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in the USA and the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes in Brazil. 

Jan Kaláb is known for his vibrant, geometric compositions that push the boundaries of spatial perception. His work often takes shape in three-dimensional canvases and sculptural pieces, exploring the relationships between form, light, and color. Kaláb’s ability to blend mathematics and emotion in his creations makes him a standout in contemporary abstraction.

Melike Kara, born in 1985 in Bensberg, Germany, is a contemporary artist of Kurdish descent based in Cologne. A graduate of Kunstakademie Düsseldorf under Rosemarie Trockel, her multidisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, installation, film, and text, often exploring themes of identity, heritage, and the Kurdish diaspora. Her paintings incorporate Kurdish tapestry motifs, using oil sticks and acrylics to create layered compositions that blur abstraction and figuration. She has exhibited internationally, with solo shows at the Yuz Museum in Shanghai, Witte de With in Rotterdam, and Bortolami Gallery in New York. Kara’s installations blend personal and collective archives, challenging notions of memory and belonging through photographs, texts, and sculptural elements. Her work bridges past and present, inviting viewers to reconsider cultural narratives and selfhood.

Melike Kara’s work explores themes of heritage, collective memory, and identity. Through expressive figures and poetic, layered compositions, Kara examines cultural histories and personal narratives. Her ethereal paintings and installations invite viewers into a profoundly introspective space that bridges past and present.

These artists each bring something unique to the contemporary art landscape, offering fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. Whether through abstraction, surrealism, or narrative-driven compositions, their works continue to inspire and shape the future of art.

©ArtRKL™️ LLC 2021-2025. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ArtRKL™️ and its underscore design indicate trademarks of ArtRKL™️ LLC and its subsidiaries.