Author: Imogen Aldridge

Contemporary artists making their mark

It has always been the way in the art world that, when talking about a specific discipline, style or period, a handful of names dominate the conversation. With abstract, it’s Picasso, Pollock and Kandinsky. Surrealism? Expect to hear the names Dali, Kahlo and Duchamp. Pop Art? The names Warhol, Hamilton and Lichtenstein are all but synonymous. But in every discipline, there’s a new generation of talented contemporary artists breaking the mould, pushing the boundaries of their craft while drawing inspiration from the giants that came before. 

Displaying contemporary wall art around your home is a great way to add plenty of style and show your guests that you’re au fait with the latest exciting developments in the art world. That’s before we even mention the immense pride and satisfaction in showcasing the work of those brilliant creatives whose stars are rising. Here, we’ll take you through just a few of the standout artists whose prints we’re proud to sell at Art Republic. And while their styles and processes differ greatly from one another, their creations are perfect for adding a contemporary twist to any home. Let’s get started:

Nostalgic Futurism

London-based artist Dan Hillier has that special gift all artists aspire to have – when you see one of his creations, you instantly know who its creator is. And that’s because Hillier’s medium is unlike other contemporary artists. Taking inspiration from the Victorian era, Dan Hillier’s work merges found images, his own mastery in ink drawing, along with 19th century steel and wood engravings to create something distinctive and futuristic with a nod to the past.

 

Contemporary artists making their mark | Image

Dan Hillier – Signal, 2018

Contemporary artists making their mark | Image

In his own words, Hillier enjoys “creating work that reflects my love of the source material I work from, the natural world, various ancient mystery traditions, and the ever-unfolding and often mystical experience of being alive in a world that is apparently material and immaterial”. Dan’s merging of classical subjects and contemporary techniques pair seamlessly to create a body of work unlike any we’ve seen before, while his ever-growing profile has led to exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery, the Louvre, Museum of Turin and even Glastonbury Festival.

Surrealism Meets Pop Art

Before Maria Rivans developed her unique approach to collaging, she was a student of 3D design at the University of Brighton, and it’s clear to see this influence in her work. Rivans’ collages use vintage images collected from retro magazines and antique books to piece together dreamy portraits, still life and film stills that have an otherworldly twist. 

 

Contemporary artists making their mark | Image

Maria Rivans - Dorothy

Rivans takes inspiration not just from artists such as David Hockney, Tracey Emin and Max Ernst, but also musicians like David Bowie, designers like Vivienne Westwood, and other titans of culture. Among Rivans’ best work is her Pin-ups series, which reimagines stars of the silver screen using imagery of nature, astronomy, technology, pop culture and more. Whether displayed on their own or as a collection, these collages are stunning in their use of vivid colour, intricate detail and skilfully cut fragments. 

Art That Starts Conversation

In every hand-made collage created by British artist Joe Webb, there’s one basic rule: use only two or three images. “With these”, Webb says, “I can reinvent the original scene to communicate a new idea.” And it’s this goal to make each piece thought-provoking that’s clear to see across Webb’s body of work. Among the issues he places under the microscope are war, inequality, our impact on the planet, and our very place in the universe. 

 

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Joe Webb – Stirring Up a Storm II

While the message in some of his works are more subtle than others, we love the beauty that Webb both finds and creates with a limited number of images at his disposal. The images selected work seamlessly in such a way that would be near impossible to replicate digitally with an endless choice of images online. With his unique take on collage, Webb has exhibited his work internationally and counts Eric Cantona, Janelle Monae and Coldplay among the collectors of his fantastic work.  

Playful Prints

If you love classical art with a contemporary, surreal twist, look no further than the work of Little Fish Design, the moniker of artist and designer Toby Holmes. Fusing classical paintings with contemporary product packaging, his Product Placement Project features traditionally painted figures adorned in period clothing that depict modern sweet wrappers, crisps, biscuit packaging, and other everyday items in contemporary Britain.

 

Contemporary artists making their mark | Image

Growing up in a family that worked in the advertising industry, with a background in graphic design and a love of Tunnock’s Tea Cakes, it’s easy to see those influences in Little Fish Design’s creations. We love the disarming effect of seeing a beautiful, formally painted figure appropriated with a ruffled garment made from Twix, Maltesers and Liquorice Allsorts packaging, replacing the silks and satins you would expect in the original works by Velázquez, Goya and Fragonard. 

Playful, humorous, and the inspiration of many a lively discussion about the connection between art and advertising, Little Fish Design’s pieces are gaining notoriety. His work has featured in several exhibitions, and you can see his Instant Whip piece on display at the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in London right now.

No Editing Required

One thing that leaps out from every photograph captured by Cambridge-based contemporary photographer Richard Heeps is the amazing use of colour saturation. Whether it’s a light-filled café interior, striking restaurant sign, Californian palm trees or the interplay of lighting and shadows on an outside staircase, Heeps challenges the limitations of lens-based photography without any need for digital touch-ups or image manipulation.

Contemporary artists making their mark | Image

Heavily influenced by the US and its culture while growing up in East Anglia, Heeps says, “I visited American bases, I kept magazine cuttings and I followed drag racing. The speed, lifestyle and technicolour is reflected in my imagery. 'American' colour is a major aspect in my work, it drives my equipment and material choices.” And it shows. Each of Heeps’ shots are practically bursting with colour, while his use of lighting makes every piece distinctive and memorable. Richard Heeps’ creativity has been showcased in galleries and museums around the world since the 1980s, and has been displayed more recently in galleries in Battersea, Suffolk and Brighton. 

Discover Something New

Those are just five of the contemporary artists and photographers whose work is leading them to new heights. At Art Republic, we love to shine a light on up-and-coming talent that aren’t afraid to break with tradition and create something refreshing and new. But there are plenty more artists out there making their mark on the global art scene, and we’re proud to sell prints from a huge range of gifted new artists with their own unique approach to creativity. Explore our full selection of artists and discover a new feature piece to brighten up your home.

contemporary art

Sunday Morning is a Feeling by Phoebe Boddy
Exclusive
Sunday Morning is a Feeling £130

Phoebe Boddy

50 x 50cm

Limited edition of 25

Love and Light Deluxe - Pink £1,750

Dan Baldwin

90 x 90cm

Limited edition of 30

Can't Touch This by Hannah Gilson
Exclusive
Can't Touch This £150

Hannah Gilson

29.7 x 42cm

Limited Edition of 25

CBGBs £250

Horace Panter

36.6 x 28.1cm

Limited Edition of 25

4FT, El Morocco Pool, Las Vegas -... £100

Richard Heeps

34 x 28cm

Limited Edition of 25

Red Bull £250

Carl Moore

60 x 60 cm

Limited Edition of 50

Tequilla £420

Marcelina Amelia

65 x 84.1 cm

Limited Edition of 50

Lariat Motel £180

Richard Heeps

40.6 x 50.8 cm

Limited Edition of 25

Lennon & McCartney £240

Simon Dixon

70 x 70 cm

Limited Edition of 50

You Spin Me Right Round by Oli Epp
Rare
You Spin Me Right Round £1,500

Oli Epp

60 x 70cm

Limited edition of 100

Blue Room £175

Horace Panter

24 x 28 cm

Limited edition of 25

Coffee and Cigarettes £400

Bonnie and Clyde

50 x 50cm

Limited Edition of 50

Hotel Motel (Mint) £900

Kate Gibb

122 x 145cm

Limited Edition of 15

Pool and Steps, 2021 by David Hockney
Rare
Pool and Steps, 2021 £550 £495

David Hockney

62.23 x 85.09cm

Limited edition of 500

Flower Bed by Phoebe Boddy
Ready To Hang
Flower Bed £5,000

Phoebe Boddy

200 x 160cm

Tourist Bored #1 £550

Jack Daly

70 x 50cm

Limited Edition of 50

Water Filter £150

Ayesha Pearce

42 x 59.4cm

Limited Edition of 25

Backwaters Mountain from £280

Nadia Attura

Various sizes

Grace by Hannah Gilson
Ready To Hang
Grace £250

Hannah Gilson

16 x 19cm

Limited Edition of 10

Manhattan  (White) by WillMake(s)Things
Ready To Hang
Manhattan (White) £365

WillMake(s)Things

36.5 x 50cm

Limited Edition of 150

Rocketman £485

Linda Charles

56 x 76cm

Limited Edition of 25

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY £275

Marcelina Amelia

30 x 42cm

Limited Edition of 80

Have a Nice Day by Nick Chaffe
Exclusive
Have a Nice Day £85

Nick Chaffe

29.7 x 42cm

Limited edition of 50

352 Miltoan Sea Sounion 1990 by Hiroshi Sugimoto
Rare
352 Miltoan Sea Sounion 1990 £1,450

Hiroshi Sugimoto

46.4 x 35.5 cm

Limited Edition of 500

(Bowie) Wishful Mysteries £495

Agent X

83 x 83cm

Limited Edition of 125