Where to find art and how to appreciate actual artworks 

Depending on where you stand, you might believe there’s too much art in the world, leading to an overconsumption market, or only a few pieces can be considered as artwork. While some believe 21st-century art cannot be considered valuable and no one can equal Leonardo da Vinci or Pablo Picasso, others appreciate modern art since it’s more experimental. 

But what can be considered true art beyond subjectivity? And where can you find art that speaks out to you? Well, your reading abilities and understanding skills play an essential role in analyzing artistic pieces. For artists like Basquiat, you’d need a brief knowledge of world history, especially African and American culture, prominent themes in “The Warrior” and “The Cosmogram.” 

But what about other types of art? Where do we find the good stuff? Let’s find out. 

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/taped-yellow-banana-on-white-surface-93UoSouP04o 

Research the online environment 

Social media and the online ecosystem are efficient channels for artists to make themselves known and establish a community, so it’s the first place where you should start looking for art. You can find artwork on any fine art online store that can help you discover noteworthy artists and pieces curated by professionals.

Finding online art, such as paintings, prints, and sculptures, is more straightforward than looking for auction houses or offline events. Most are concentrated in bigger cities, so you’ll have more luck online. Researching the artists’ influence and reputation is also pretty straightforward, as this element is detrimental in determining whether the art piece has a monetary value (for future investment) or sentimental impact (such as expressionism). 

Understand the elements of art 

Art is not a simple painting but a perfect combination of styles. Lines, shapes, and textures can be appreciated when one is aware of their presence and impact. For example, painters can create the illusion of depth through two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. 

Artists develop space in a painting or drawing by overlapping higher or lower object placements or sizes. On the other hand, the value element offers meaning only by the amount of darkness or light. Darker paintings are heavier, but bright ones offer insight into spirituality. These descriptions are only the tip of the iceberg, so learning more about art helps you understand it. 

Analyze trends and currents 

Despite what people say, following trends and noticing creation patterns is important. They anchor you in the present and help you understand how human dynamics trigger various forms of art. For example, you may have heard of “hopecore” on TikTok, the trend spreading hopefulness and self-care in the midst of struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

We can all agree that 2024 was a difficult year. Geopolitical conflicts and environmental concerns triggered our anxiety many times. So, people did what they always do, meaning they sought something to look forward to through art. Creative compositions of text, images, and poems are a form of art that is good for the soul. 

Buy art for a cause 

Sometimes, appreciating art is not inherently followed by buying it. However, there are several marketplaces where the artwork you buy will contribute to the welfare of a cause, whether you support special artists or the local community. Many non-profit organizations help creators showcase their talents, and your support is crucial. 

Buying art for charity can help you start making these investments and having an impact on society. Most of these artworks are pretty affordable, but due to the artist’s growing popularity, their value may boom in the future. 

Identify what is not art 

If something was not created to be art, it may not be it. Or, that’s how you generally separate artwork from a product. Usually, creating a piece of art has an underlying cause or goal, whether to provoke a reaction or document reality. 

Several aspects can help you determine if what you’re watching is art:

• Does it convey aesthetic features?
• Does it represent a form of the real or imaginary world?
• Is it original?
• Does it communicate something to you? 

If you’re still unsure about non-art or art pieces, you could get some help from art critics, curators, and magazines specialized in artistic pieces and their meaning. Contemporary art magazines like Aesthetica, Apollo, or Art Review are great guidelines for the industry. 

Watch out for contemporary artists 

Contemporary art is more than pop art (which is still an important proof of our past). With a little bit of research, you may fall in love with: 

• Ukiyo-e is Japanese art inspired by the Edo period, especially through natural landscapes. A prestigious example is Katsushika Hokusai and his print of “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”;
• De Stijl is a Dutch movement of the 20th century that explores abstract geometric shapes and the use of primary colors. Theo van Doesburg is known to have founded the movement, and he’s famous for “Composition décentralisée”;
• Kinetic Art focuses on the result of motion, so this type of art usually moves in order for the viewer to understand it. You could read about the kinetic art exhibition from the MIT Museum, “5000 Moving Parts”;

You don’t have to understand all of the world’s art 

Maybe not every piece of art should be understood or approached. If you remember the banana artwork, its auction created such fuss in the online environment. Still, it was the best occasion to introduce memes and cryptocurrency in the world of art. 

Therefore, art transforms in accordance with human movement and dynamics, but not all of it is worth having on your walls. However, it’s important we don’t ignore it and treat it as an instrument for the start of conceptual work. 

Do you think you know what art is? 

Most of us know how to identify art, especially when talking about popular creators and pieces. However, contemporary art and new trends might seem confusing, so where and how do we find true art? Well, this highly depends on your knowledge of art, the social media networks you’re exploring, and your subjectivity. Still, at the end of the day, everything that was meant to be art can be art.