Modern art is an art movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was characterized by a shift away from traditional styles to a more abstract, experimental approach to creating works of art. It is basically the art that rejects traditional techniques. Major modern art movements include Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Pop Art and Surrealism. Influential modernist artists include Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Salvador Dalí and Marcel Duchamp. Modern artwork has had a lasting impact on the development of visual culture and continues to influence contemporary art today.

Although many different styles are encompassed by the term, there are certain underlying principles that define modernist art: A rejection of history and conservative values (such as realistic depiction of subjects); innovation and experimentation with form (the shapes, colours and lines that make up the work) with a tendency to abstraction; and an emphasis on materials, techniques and processes.                                                      

Characteristics of Modern Art:

• Use of vibrant colours and bold brushstrokes
• Abstract, expressive forms and shapes
• Exploration of new concepts such as movement, time, and space
• Rejection of mainstream values and traditional techniques