Buying items online can be a hit or miss, so it’s no surprise when the thought of buying art online is met with skepticism. But Artsper is seemingly proving their critics wrong day after day with its growing art platform that showcases an extensive, international list of young and renowned artists that are represented on their website from over 1,800 galleries and self-represented artists worldwide.
The art-marketplace Artsper uses algorithms to arrange its over 170,000 artworks; paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and prints to display the most interesting and relevant pieces to suit your taste. With a step-by-step guide available online via the art advisor programme, the website is a one-stop spot for collectors at any level. With a list of art school favourites like Joan Miró, Araki, Dali, Picasso, Murakami, Koons, Kaws, Schiele, to name a few, the emerging artists are equally well supported by a filter system that easily categorises artworks by countries, price, medium, type or thematic selections.
The platform’s straightforward approach to art purchase opens doors to a new generation of collectors, clearing the grey area of buying and collecting through physical galleries (and avoiding awkward confrontations of the “art elite”). And to give it an all round e-commerce experience, the buyer is given 14 days to “try” the artwork so, if it’s not a match in your home, office or studio, you can simply return it for free.
To give you an idea of the artworks available online, we selected our 10 favourite artists on Artsper:
1. Larry Clark:
A cult classic, his photographs are best known for its raw portrayal and documentation of American youth. Instead of creating a false sense of teenage nostalgia, Clark’s subjects tell the uncomfortable truths in a life in suburbia depicted through the use of illegal drugs, underage sex, and violence, and classic subcultures of the 90s-00s; surfers, punks and skaters. His best recognised works ‘Kids’ (1995) and photography book Tulsa contested the Hollywood dramatisation of teenhood, exposing the ironies of youth culture projected by the media and instead, punched us right in the stomach with images full of controversy.
2. David Shrigley:
David Shrigley’s distinctive artworks play on child-like illustrations met with satire, critiquing daily social topics and interactions. He recreates our reality through his own fantasy world where we are replaced by monsters, aliens, or large insects that address its underlying social message with quick wit and deadpan humour. Some of Shrigley’s achievements have been Turner Prize nominee in 2013 and exhibited in renowned art institutes such as MoMA, Tate London, Pinakothek der Moderne, National Gallery of Victoria, Bergen Kunsthall, Art Institute of Chicago, Thyssen-Bornemisza Contemporary Art Foundation, to name a few.
3. Gelitin:
Or formerly known as ‘Gelatin’ until 2005, is an Austrian art collective. Its 4 members, Wolfgang Gantner, Ali Janka, Florian Reitcher and Tobias Urban were known for creating art events of over-the-top performances that cross over humour, spontaneity, sexuality and encourage audience participation, freeing the desires held back by society. Your home could be one of the places where Gelitin’s work is displayed joining the notable Parisian gallery, Perrotin and New York’s Gagosian.
4. Yang Du:
Upon viewing Yang Du’s work, the hyper-colour and sharp-focus style are reminiscent of the late Ren Hang’s photographs that set a wave of a new generation of Chinese photography. Du’s images capture the contemporary life of China with contrasts between traditional elements and its evolving people resulting in a dream-like scene.
5. Tarek:
Aka Tarek Ben Yakhlef discovered graffiti in the 80s, becoming active in the Paris scene and going on to publish the first book dedicated to graffiti art titled, ‘Paris Tonkar’ in France at the age of 20. With the same passion as then, he launched ‘Paris Tonkar Magazine’ that is dedicated only to graffiti and urban art. A graduate of Medieval History and the History of Art at the Sorbonne, he takes references from different periods, incorporating them into the style of street art, expressed through various mediums from painting, photography, screenwriting and comics.
6. Shinji Nagabe:
The Japanese-Brazilian photographer was first trained as a journalist, starting his photographic journey in 2004. His photographs balance between reality and fantasy that are guided by his two cultures presented with colourful and playful imagery. His most notable project, Banana Republic uses bananas to “blind and censor, while resistant groups use it to make weapons and build bombs. This visceral response leads to guerrilla warfare between the rebels and the retrograde and conservative government” and “represents this state of political and social disillusionment and disenchantment.”
7. Moon Shin:
The South Korean artist trained as a painter in Korea and Japan before moving to France where he turned to sculpture. It was during his time in France that he gained recognition from art critics for his most notable works; symmetrical pieces that symbolised the organic cosmos, emphasising balance and harmony. His contribution to the art scene and return to his hometown, Masan set a new chapter for Korean contemporary art.
8. Li Lihong:
Li Lihong was raised in Dezhen Jin where the royal porcelain of China originates and was trained under the Chinese master of ceramics Qin Xiling. His ceramic sculptures are a confrontation between tradition and modernity, the East and West, represented through traditional blue ink Chinese porcelain illustrations drawn around logos and icons of contemporary consumer culture such as Mickey Mouse, Michelin man, dollar signs and the Nike tick.
9. Patrick Moya:
The French artist originates from Nice, in the South of France and is part of the “Ecole de Nice” movement that began in the 70s. Moya’s background in comics and fascination for the interactive nature of television and new media is heavily influenced in his artworks that often see appearances of his cartoon-esque characters, “Dolly” the sheep and his self-portrait inspired by Pinocchio. Since 2007, he has exhibited in the art exhibition held on Second Life where he created “Moya Cilvillisation” and continues to live and work on 4 different islands in his “Moya Land,” exploring the extended possibilities of digitalised art and readapting his 2D characters into 3D and to top it off, the late fashion designer, Thierry Mugler has collaborated with the artist to create “Island of ‘Doctor Muglerstein’.”
10. Mathew Langley:
Langley’s paintings rely on the viewer to determine their own perception and connection to the artwork. Drawing influence from the likes of abstract artists Mark Rothko and Gerhard Richter, he plays with colours and coupled with his choice in the mixtures and the balance between the lines, Langley is able to stimulate the viewer visually and intellectually.
Visit artsper.com to explore more artworks.