British Contemporary Figurative Painting: 25 Artists in the 21st Century

[@lauramalone5469]

Wonderful survey of artists, some of whom I did not know. I do have to say, thought, that I missed Cecily Brown.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you for tuning in and for your kind words. Yes! I agree, Cecily Brown should be included for sure. Well spot

[@ziraprod6090]

She has been in the USA since she was 22. So too bad.

[@jdsj6271]

Wow...thanks for the video, open my mind to see more

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you!

[@hifijohn]

I, born in 1960, find many of artists very interesting.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you for tuning in, happy to hear!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hello dear readers and subscribers. Today, we take on the United Kingdom! We are pleased to present a selection of 25 exquisite British figurative painters. Who did we miss? Thank you for tuning in and speak soon!

[@cree8vision]

I can never understand why Peter Doig is so esteemed. Although his style is recognizable, he has a noted lack of technical prowess which doesn't impress. And what about Bartholomew Beal or Ian Francis?

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi there, thank you for tuning in and for sharing these interesting thoughts. I believe this lack of technical prowess is actually what makes Doig so appealing. This happens very often in fact, think of Raoul De Keyser's 'crappy' paintings, yet they are so wonderful

[@tthomas184]

I guess you're not much impressed by Van Gogh either.

[@damiester1]

@@tthomas184 Van Gogh has amazing colour and compositional usage though.

[@tthomas184]

@@damiester1 Completely agree. What he never had is much technical ability. He wasn't much interested.

[@liv0003]

​@@tthomas184art is not just technical skill, or at least it doesn't have to be. Photorealist painters have technical skills but their paintings are 99% of the time deadly boring

[@lefthandstory1280]

Beautiful nice sharing👍👍

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you very much!

[@war-painter]

Most were predictable, but lovable: Hockney, Doig & Saville among my favorites, also Chris Ofili. Others I haven’t heard of, like Clare Woods, spectacular! Thank you for turning me on to her. Some of the others don’t seem to bring anything new to the genre in the way that Lucian Freud did. Perhaps many amateur figurative painters in the U.S. are confusing “skill” in realistic figure painting with contemporary art and its sociopolitical significance in today’s art world. Or maybe it’s all a bunch of intersectional mumbo jumbo flung out by gatekeeper galleristas to keep out the hoi polloi. Suggest they see the wonderful figurative paintings of American artist Henry Taylor.

[@ArtDocuments]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you for tuning in and for the much appreciated kind words

[@guitarquartet]

very good indeed, lots of inspiration here!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Absolutely. Thank you for tuning in!

[@georgemohr7532]

Great video. I find it interesting how photograpy has influenced the work of so many of these painters. Yet many do not accept photograpy as a legitamate form of fine art. Beginning almost 200 years ago with Niepce photography remains a stepchild of Art.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi George, thanks for tuning in and even more for your interesting comment. I strongly believe in photography as an art form, but I believe it asks a greater effort from the viewer due to the over saturation of photographic images these days. On the other hand, Thomas Ruff or Wolfgang Tillmans are two photographers who are undoubted one of the most influential contemporary artists in the world (top 30). Sadly, too many people stubbornly hold on to craftsmanship as a pretext for 'real' art. I believe this is the reason why photography indeed remains a stepchild of Art with capital A.

[@georgemohr7532]

@@contemporaryartissue "I believe it asks a greater effort from the viewer due to the over saturation of photographic images these days". Indeed, I believe you are correct. Thanks for responding to my comment.

[@contemporaryartissue]

@@georgemohr7532 The pleasure is all mine. Have a great day

[@archaic9525]

@@contemporaryartissue Hi, i believe photographers are partly responsible for the fact they are not given attention as legitimate artists: too many of them display arty journalistic reports, as diary for their journeys, or kind of, by so leave people bathing in their association photo = mere reports. Just an opinion.

[@damiester1]

I'm not sure that's entirely true. I see quite a lot of photograph prints being sold in commercial art galleries at much higher prices than you'd find for a traditional painting. Also, while we should celebrate photography as an art form, there's no need to criticise those who value craftsmanship. For artists who have spent decades on their craft, it's not surprising to see that "stubborness" as you call it. Also, it's always a topic of discussion when craftsmanship isn't included such as "found objects" like the infamous "fountain" and certain other forms of amateurish styles. TBH, traditional artists have been losing ground in the industry since photography was invented. Most people hire wedding photographers, graphic designers etc. over illustrators. So it's a much more complex issue as to what is art than just conventions vs photography.

[@fatoomgierdien2181]

Thank you for a fantastic video with good commentary. Cape Town

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for tuning in

[@terrymccann2937]

Nice selection of great current artists here, but no David Cobley?🤔

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you very much for tuning in. Great suggestion too!

[@timbomilko5367]

A painter I have always admired who is missing from your presentation is Simon Garden.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great suggestion thank you!

[@smkh2890]

Thanks for this. These videos are invaluable for someone living outside the metropolis. But aside from biographical and technical details, I really could do without someone's interpretation coming between me and my first seeing the works. I have to run these on mute [ with British John Dowland on in the background! ]

[@contemporaryartissue]

I can understand completely. As Mark Rothko has stated many times before: "Silence can be so accurate"

[@ConceptCarMusic]

Surprised Peter Howson didn't get a mention here. Still, interesting list.

[@namexox]

I like your use of the word BANAL to describe an artist work as boring etc. Thanks for this art terminology. In regards I am Modern than Contemporary and contemporary art was promoted after Modernism from the late 1970's of 1979/80 which seem to me was mainly of Anti-Art, Non-Art and Bad Art. Modern Art was blocked pushed to the outside, having nowhere central to show (now termed as Outsider Art). Theres probably good Contempory Art but hasnt had any popular exposure and needs to be brought out to the fore. The New British Contemporary art scene back then (over 30 years ago) which artist I found interesting (and dated now?) was from the Scottish and Glasgow school of painters: Peter Howsen, Steven Campbell, Adrian Wiszniewski and John Bellany. The up and coming female Scotish artist Jenny Saville whos in your video was looking good and has done well compared to her male Scotish fellows. Its just hard to make a living as an artist with-out good support, promotion and gallery backing. The Contemporary artist in this video I would not rush out and see in a Exhibition and still find most if not all Contempory Art Exhibitions boring, shallow and crap and would use the term CRAPISM to describe the (Banal) art scene from the late 1979/80's.

[@joecritch]

Thanks for this. Can I ask - Do you use TTS for the VO? If yes, why?

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi there Joseph, yes we do. Here at the office we are very comfortable to write, but not so comfortable to speak for these voice overs. But, one day we'll need to take the leap or hire the perfect person to do this. Thank you for tuning in and saying hi!

[@joecritch]

@@contemporaryartissue I'm sure you have lovely speaking voices. Go for it. : )

[@hubbert22]

thank you!

[@contemporaryartissue]

The pleasure is all mine! Thank you for tuning in

[@henrikfrbyjensen9862]

I take a lot of inspiration from this. Thank you so much though I think you forgot to mention Francis Bacon

[@contemporaryartissue]

The pleasure is all mine! Concerning Bacon's omission, the video aims to focus on artists who have been active in this century, hence excluding Bacon although we can often feel his presence in the works of his compatriots. Wishing you all the best!

[@MakhdoomSadiqKhan]

Love it superb 👌 👏

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you very much!

[@ikawinner960]

Thank you

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you for watching!

[@normanmerrill1241]

Thanks

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you for tuning in!

[@williamerickson520]

Wow, I honestly went in expecting a litany of insipid work with pretentious explanations and I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of interesting images. The only name I recognized was Ken Currie, though I didn't recognize any of the pieces.

[@janepowell5577]

Tracy?! Cecily Brown? Tomma Abts, Lubaini Himid, CELIA PAUL, George Shaw…yes, you missed quite a few

[@ballyantonia]

Wahooo!… from an artist in US, Nantahala forest…much appreciated

[@contemporaryartissue]

Greetings from Belgium! Thank you very much for tuning in

[@barbarakornreich]

I'm shocked that you did't include Cecily Brown.

[@vandolmatzis8146]

Richard Patterrson is phenomenal

[@contemporaryartissue]

Couldn't agree more!

[@nieverainmaker384]

I’ll neve go to Chicago because of that orange scuba diver

[@slvisanden3000]

Christian Hook should be in this company

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great shout!

[@gnolan4281]

On the whole I'm depressed and glum after seeing this.

[@jaydelacruz2008]

Emin Tracey...I wonder why she's not in your list.

[@raymondregh8396]

Ever heard about Antony Micallef?

[@contemporaryartissue]

Yes I have, his impressive 'meaty' impastos were especially popular on social media last year

[@ivanoffbore6819]

You do a great promotional and educational work bout Contemporary Figurative Painting. I just want to suggest two more names for your list of the best contemporary British figurative painters, Jonathan Yeo a great portrait painter and Keith Tyson a very special and powerful painter as well.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Dear Ivanoff, thank you very much for tuning in, your kind words and the two great suggestions. I did not known Keith Tyson yet so I am glad you introduced him. Congratulations with the artist spotlight as well!

[@naxokill]

@@contemporaryartissue I´d suggest brandon kelly too

[@contemporaryartissue]

@@naxokill Terrific suggestion, thank you Nacho!

[@ragodesign]

Diarmuid Kelley for one

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great shout!

[@valentinamarandoiu188]

Indeed, a great painter!

[@jaimegonzalezpalencia7118]

Could you do the same with Spanish painters?

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great suggestion! We'll try to do this in the foreseeable future (we have an immense list of videos we still want to make), it's a great idea for a video.

[@johncastle8254]

Stanley spencer and Francis bacon the last two great original British painters rip

[@DrewKennedy1]

Cecily Brown?

[@contemporaryartissue]

Excellent shout! Thank you for sharing and for tuning in

[@tthomas184]

I think where you go wrong in your list by calling certain artists the best, which you walk back in your comment saying algorithm picks them from top galleries,, etc.. That's why so few women artists,, artists of color.. Don't blame me,, its science.. Best is not a scientific term,, it's a subjective term.. Better to stick with top or leading artists. Also still life painters are not figurative painters, when no figures are present.. That should be clear to anyone since you already have a category for still-life painters. Just put them there and leave them there. All that said, there were some very talented painters presented here, that I was previously unaware of. A couple genuine revelations to me. So thank you.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Dear Thomas, thank you for tuning in and interesting comment. I agree 100% the terminology 'leading' or 'top' or 'most influential' is more accurate than 'best'. Concerning the term 'figurative', I must add there is a distinction between figure painting and figurative painting, the first referring solely to paintings of figures, the latter being (officially) defined as 'representing recognizable forms derived from life'. But I would argue the term 'representational painting' is even better, but it has a less accessible connotation. Happy to hear you discovered some new painters, thank you for reaching out and have a great day!

[@tthomas184]

@@contemporaryartissue I agree. I always heard recogniseable paintings derived from life referred to as Representational painting, which I think is more accurate, as it includes still life, landscape, and figurative painting. Figurative painting includes paintings of single figures, groups of figures, and also portraits. Thanks for the comment.

[@pafig333]

Hurvin Anderson

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great suggestion!

[@АлекпероваОльга]

Как далеко стоит большая часть работ от того, что можно назвать искусством.

[@mr.humbert3411]

La pittura inglese semplicemente non esiste è stata tutta una copia

[@fatgeezerdave]

Interesting video. I really expected to see Jonathan Yeo up there. His paintings collage and 3D work is stunning. But then, I don’t know about the criteria or agenda for inclusion.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you for tuning in! The list has been created by an algorithm (by Artfacts) which ranks artists based upon objective data and career facts (such as shows at major institutions, auction results, biennials, collections, et cetera). Have a great day!

[@ceesvegh4904]

the human figure still centre stage

[@contemporaryartissue]

Exactly!

[@untildawnstudio7152]

Unfortunately art is no matter of talent. It’s just a matter of network. So many artist are great but remain unknown just because they don’t have the right network…… and in the other hand, so many shitty artist sell they work, not because it’s good, just because they know the right people….

[@contemporaryartissue]

I believe its both + a touch of luck. Being at the right place at the right time can be life changing for an artist.

[@outerstate]

Having an independent income helps. I don’t know many contemporary successful working class artists.

[@tthomas184]

@@outerstate Not many but a few. The ones I know were recognized early. Hockey is a good example.. Working class background, became self described rich student while still in art school,, then truly struck gold later. It becomes increasingly difficult as time goes on. Btw, same thing with musicians. The list of incredibly successful musicians with humble beginnings is long.

[@tthomas184]

Sour grapes.

[@mjjames2442]

Where’s Billy Childish?

[@carterflachbarth6794]

What is your unit of measurement for creating a top list of painters? You’re not using market stats or current relevance, so are you trying to pump your own collection or throwing darts at a dart board for some of these after a quick google? Many missed names and many nobody’s on this list.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Dear Carter, normally we use an algorithm to create top lists, powered by Artfacts. However, with this very specific query of contemporary figurative British painters, we selected a mix of established, mid-career and emerging artists that crossed our path the past decade.

[@emiliahuban4812]

Jack Vettriano

[@shaunm3206]

Paula Rego…

[@contemporaryartissue]

Dear god, yes! Should have been included for sure!

[@shaunm3206]

@@contemporaryartissue hey no worries, you can't remember them all :)

[@contemporaryartissue]

@@shaunm3206 Indeed. However I still feel I should have remembered Paula Rego. She's a living icon!

[@gavinreid2741]

I thought she was Portuguese, but I see she is described as Portuguese/British.

[@war-painter]

@@gavinreid2741 DAME Paula Rego

[@LinetANDREA]

Tracey Emin

[@publicartcritic7993]

ASK Fulgur

[@mustafakaplan990]

I dont hang most of them on my wall

[@lilw9788]

any other fellow wathens out there?

[@soylentlolmilk]

is tracey emin not considered contemporary? geez

[@johannbrandstatter7419]

She is not. She may be considered an " art opportunist ", certainly not an artist. Go back to bed now, preferably the unmade one !

[@soylentlolmilk]

@@johannbrandstatter7419 nice snotty remark, johann. have a good life.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Tracey Emin is of course a contemporary artist. However, the query for this survey was the best British 'contemporary figurative painters'

[@soylentlolmilk]

@@contemporaryartissue ...and she's been doing figurative painting for ages. As well, there are some artists in here who don't actually paint figuratively, they just have the 'suggestion' of figure/presence. So...

[@stephenhanger2521]

So,so

[@paulreinhard8544]

I definitely missing Lubaina Himid in this list

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great suggestion, thank you for adding the artist here in the comments!

[@GabrielGarcia-ip2hs]

Tai shan schierenberg

[@LockedPig]

Most of them are very very very average artists. With a few exceptions as Currie, Saville, White, Brown and Hockney.

[@roryphoenix5474]

When Doig is call great the whole art scene becomes a joke. Enough of the identity crap. Just paint.

[@dannistor7294]

...the comments are both completely generic and full of inaccuracies... the painters, as it's usually the case... some good, some modest...

[@kend3800]

Bacon, boy, - Bacon...

[@kend3800]

& Freud...

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi Ken, for this video we have decided only to feature living artists - as we mention in the int hence the absence of Bacon and Freud. In any case, thank you for tuning in

[@kend3800]

@@contemporaryartissue My error - thanks for clarifying.

[@contemporaryartissue]

@@kend3800 no worries at all, have a great day!

[@joelkurtzstudio]

Is this a robot speaking? Kinda painful to listen to.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Yes, it is indeed. We are very comfortable writing, but narrating our texts is a completely different thing. But we are looking to solve this in the near future for sure!

[@davidmcewen5487]

Wordy, self important load of waffle.

[@stuartcalow737]

Banksy???

[@contemporaryartissue]

Yes, difficult topic. In fact we had quit a debate here at the office. In the end, we decided stencils on paper are not really paintings. It is more reminiscent to printmaking in fact, as a result his works are most often editions. Whereas with painting, a painting is always a unique artwork.

[@quentincrisp6933]

The UK art world has become so "woke" with their patronizing and pandering it's ridiculous! They are more concern with having the correct pie chart and census that art is secondary! A prime example is the NPG along with many contemporary art galleries!

[@contemporaryartissue]

A sad tendency in my opinion, art should be able to shock and provoke whenever it wants. Otherwise 'woke' is just a new word for censorship

[@quentincrisp6933]

@@contemporaryartissue Agreed when speaking of true art that displays craftsmanship, emotion, beauty and imagination. It isn't subjective! The vast majority of new art being pushed in the U.K. is based on more of the way someone looks instead of talent! That's the sad tendency IMOH.

[@balthus9105]

@@contemporaryartissue Woke is self censorship, i look at lot of modern art and see nothing anymore that is remotely shocking or innovative, art is very pro establishment these days and safe, modernism now is basically what French academic painting was in the 19th century.

[@tthomas184]

@@balthus9105 Feel free to create unwoke, anti-establishment, shocking, truly innovative art for the 21st century.. If you can't, don't complain.

[@tthomas184]

@@contemporaryartissue Sorry, but you couldn't be more wrong. Woke is being aware of issues such as structural racism, and white privilege, male dominance in society, issues of money and privilege in society. All of these are endemic in the art world too. The real censorship is when right-wing politicians use woke as a derogatory term, then use it as an excuse to pass laws that attack free speech, such as the don't say gay laws in the US.

[@flyagaric23]

all a bit flat, not much depth perception.....could have been done 300 years ago.

[@sergeiyatsenko]

Before taking large sizes, you need to learn how to draw on small ones. Some of these people can draw a little, but they still have a lot to learn. There is no soul here, only the desire to be original. It is sad and painful to watch this degradation.

[@stephenhanger2521]

Sick, empty, hollow, dry , lifeless.

[@1marcelo]

I don't see the need to focus on nationality. It doesn't contribute anything to the art of these painters and is rather annoying.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi Marcelo, thank you for watching. In fact, I believe strongly it can be very interesting to do so. There is a common background which is often reflected in the selected artists work

[@harrydelport6220]

So much polatics :(

[@beedeeuniko]

Now do some research how to pronounce Lynette correctly 😂

[@Kines332]

Took me less than a minute to find out how to say her name correctly. Not to bother if not a form of micro-racism is certainly a form of micro-indifference.

[@rdnzl401]

​@@Kines332It's an electronic speech synthesizer. It made countless errors as you'd have noticed if you weren't scanning for 'micro racism.'

[@gavinreid2741]

He used the English pronunciation.

[@notsharingwithyoutube]

Some of those people aren't British.

[@dnlgrmn7169]

What’s your definition of British?

[@notsharingwithyoutube]

@@dnlgrmn7169 English, Welsh, Scottish, Cornish, Manx, or Scotch-Irish. What's yours?

[@dnlgrmn7169]

@@notsharingwithyoutube Cool. And who are not the British artists then. And why not.

[@notsharingwithyoutube]

@@dnlgrmn7169 Well Lynette certainly isn't.

[@dnlgrmn7169]

@@notsharingwithyoutube oh yeah, she’s born in London.

[@Ridiculeisnothate]

Garbage

[@hilohahoma1547]

Enough with the automated voice.

[@cravenmoorehead7099]

Ridiculous. May I suggest a more appropriate title…such as “UK’s 25 most overrated painters, in history”?