The Most Influential Artists of 2020
Since 2009, Joannou’s DESTE Project Space Slaughterhouse has hosted annual summer exhibitions with equal parts pilgrimage and party, drawing in a well-heeled crowd who come for the art and stay for the irony-laden atmosphere. His 2023 exhibition “Dream Machines” took a spin with artists like Anicka Yi and Andro Wekua, offering interdisciplinary art that winks at convention while challenging it outright. Joannou’s support of mid-career artists isn’t about fat checks but lean budgets, forcing artists like Matthew Barney and Maurizio Cattelan to turn limitations into fuel for creation. In an industry often caught up in the sheen of transactional patronage, Joannou’s approach feels refreshingly—if not defiantly—personal, a vision set to keep Hydra buzzing and the art world on its toes. With provocation and curiosity as her primary tools, Zoe Lukov is cutting straight to the heart of contemporary culture. Her latest curatorial endeavor, “YES, CHEF” at Water Street Projects, isn’t just about food; it’s a cheeky critique of the power dynamics simmering beneath our culinary obsessions.
Soon thereafter, his work was characterised by neoclassicism and a renewed interest in drawing and figural representation. The total number of artworks he produced has been estimated at 50,000, comprising 1,885 paintings; 1,228 sculptures; 2,880 ceramics, roughly 12,000 drawings, many thousands of prints, and art+people numerous tapestries and rugs. Beyond painting, although he had no formal academic training, da Vinci was also a scientist and inventor and he created plenty of drawings of the human body and many modern technologies found in the world today.
Most Influential People in the Art World: Part One
His recent acquisitions range from Egyptian antiquities to Old Masters by Adriaen Coorte and Dürer, alongside modern icons like Jacob Lawrence and contemporary stars like Cecily Brown. As a member of the Association of Professional Art Advisors, he’s part of an elite circle of advisors and curators, but it’s clear Levin isn’t just another name on the list. His work doesn’t merely reflect the trends—it helps create them, one masterpiece at a time. Dakis Joannou is the art world’s pied piper of Hydra, turning this sleepy Greek island into an unmissable post-Basel retreat where the art elite swap stuffy galleries for a converted slaughterhouse.
The 10 most famous artists of all time, according to the We Love Art community
Their $1.9 billion donation to the Glenstone Foundation in 2023 set a new bar for private endowments, securing the museum’s operations, acquisitions and expansions well into the future. With this move, the Raleses have effectively given Glenstone the financial stability to rival public giants like the Getty. Their vision for Glenstone goes far beyond their collection; the museum’s Pavilions showcase single-artist exhibitions in dedicated spaces that Mitchell and Emily help design alongside the featured artists. This hands-on approach has brought in groundbreaking installations by artists like Robert Gober, Brice Marden and Pipilotti Rist, adding depth to each artist’s legacy in a way few private institutions can achieve. The Raleses’ “slow collecting” philosophy means Glenstone isn’t chasing trends but instead considering works from an art historical perspective, building comprehensive collections of the artists they acquire that function like retrospectives. This thoughtful approach allows the couple to present each artist’s full creative evolution.
She is known for works in various media—from poetry and philosophical writings to highly detailed drawings, sculptures, and iconic land artworks. Her Living Pyramid 2024 sculpture was commissioned for the upcoming Desert X biennial. Aaron Cezar – founding Director of the Delfina Foundation, an independent, non-profit foundation dedicated to facilitating artistic exchange and developing creative practice through residencies, partnerships, and public programming.
July: Hamptons Fine Art Fair
He was already a well-known artist when the Art Nouveau style took root late in the nineteenth century, and Klimt was well-known for his colorful paintings, the majority of which portrayed ladies. Throughout his life, he also notably painted many different self-portraits that represented himself in a very genuine way, in contrast to other painters who would often dress-up their own images of themselves. In 1886, he traveled to Paris, where he encountered painters like as Paul Gauguin, who were spearheading the rejection of the impressionist painting movement and encouraged Van Gogh to develop his own style and explore with more vibrant colors. In the late 20th century, Jean-Michel Basquiat turned the contemporary art world on its head. Living and working in New York City in the 1970s and 80s, the young artist helped pioneer and popularize street art by bringing graffiti into the gallery—a monumental move that made the glitz and glamor of the art world accessible to people from all walks of life. As a pioneer of the Surrealist art movement, René Magritte created work that celebrated the subconscious mind and the world of dreams.
His distinct style emphasized color, movement, and drama—all key characteristics of the Baroque period. Known for his voluptuous women, opulent colors, and dynamic compositions, Rubens established himself as a prominent court painter for the Spanish Hapsburgs, developing an international reputation as an artist and diplomat. A master of painting, sculpture, and architecture, Michelangelo Buonarroti is one of the most exemplary figures of the Italian Renaissance. His nickname Il Divino (‘The Divine One”) is evidence of how beloved he was. Additionally, his incredible success is significant in a time when most artists did not enjoy wealth or fame while they were alive. In fact, Michelangelo is the first Western artist to have a biography published during his lifetime.
The most recent edition of Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world includes conceptual visual artist Jenny Holzer, curator Thelma Golden, photographer LaToya Ruby Frazier, designer Jonathan Anderson, and ARTnews Top 200 collector Larry Ellison. The expressions of famous artists of the modern era are remarkable, and they tell the story of a culture that has grown ever more intriguing, colorful, and complex. Gallery last year, the art dealer presented exhibitions by artists like Peter Saul and Tala Madani, while continuing to stand-out for his passionate and unconventional approach to curating.
For Rose, it’s about using his massive platform and putting a twist on his community outreach, just like it was always bigger than basketball for Rose during his playing career. Garrick’s respect for Rose grew more after experiencing the latter approach a new craft. He said Rose joined every video call with a notepad and a camera, determined to learn the process while offering critical creative input.
His use of irony and popular elements in his art, fusing together the worlds of art, advertisement, and celebrities, was criticized as a business move to make more money rather than an artistic choice. Eventually, his paintings turned more symbolic than realistic, depicting the essence of emotions rather than individuals displaying emotions themselves. The last two decades of his life Munch spent isolated until he died in 1944. Often, he would paint the same scene over many times to capture the changing of seasons.
Later, he would become the architect of St. Peter’s Basilica—following in Michelangelo’s footsteps—where he created the Basilica’s iconic plaza and colonnade, as well as its central bronze canopy. A master of materials, Bernini is known for his astonishing ability to create movement and bring forth emotion with his work. In his hands, marble transforms into soft flesh that looks so real, that you’d want to reach out and squeeze it. Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Durer was the first artist to elevate printmaking to a form of fine art. He produced engravings, woodcuts, and etchings based on his meticulously detailed drawings. It was the first time someone attempted to duplicate such realistic illustrations, and its overwhelming success subsequently inspired other artists to make and distribute prints.