Art world trends round up: 2024

As the curtain falls on 2024, it’s only fair we take a moment to savour some of the stand-out themes the art world has seen over these past twelve months.

With hundreds of galleries exhibiting across 16 Affordable Art Fairs, we saw our fair share of art in 2024. This year, there were particular themes that were louder than others, and artists definitely tuned into the art world’s pulse, staying on top of the rapid changes and global trends.

In this trend wrap-up, we’ll touch on the key art trends of 2024 that we’ve spotted across our fairs. This retrospective blog covering last year’s hottest trends can also help you plan your art collecting journey for 2025!

Ethical and conscious art

2024 was all about putting sustainability at the front stage and the art world was no exception. With growing concerns about environmental issues worldwide, there has been a move towards making more sustainable choices by artists as well as art collectors. So, this year, we’ve seen a lot of artists experimenting with different materials and mediums to address our planet’s shifting landscape.

Ricardo Arango’s ‘Hope’ is a striking example of how these sustainable art practices can create such a unique artwork. Arango is known for his mixed media art that combines various elements in one piece, highlighting the beauty of each material. His attachment to recycling materials when creating art shines through with this abstract piece with his use of recycled glass, representing the mystery of the sea.

Another example is the special project focusing on ecological art in our Hong Kong fair this year, titled ‘Eco Post Paradise Project’. In this project, Korean artist Chanboo Jung used discarded plastic straws and transformed them into creative installations. Jung’s signature teddy bears have more than just aesthetic appeal when they’re reimagined, they also carry a certain degree of discomfort, inviting the viewers to confront their own consumption habits.

Kinetic art

Kinetic art encompasses all kinds of art that moves and interacts with its surroundings. From sculptural pieces to detailed and intricate installations, kinetic artworks pose a unique way to add dynamic movement to any space.

A kinetic wall sculpture, in particular, transforms static surfaces into dynamic displays, bringing walls to life with movement and rhythm. These kinetic, moving sculptures not only engage the senses but also invite audiences to experience art as an evolving interaction rather than a fixed form.

Art using uncommon materials

In a similar way to the ethical art movement, a growing trend in the art world is that more and more artists have been making use of unconventional materials in their art. Revealing the hidden potential in the overlooked and the mundane, these works are proof that what may be considered waste by one person can be transformed into art by another. These materials range from recycled objects like water bottles to more unconventional mediums like cotton yarn.

Stefan Gross, for example, developed his own material, ‘oil plastic’, that he largely relies on for his artworks. Created as a result of using classic oil paints to die industrial plastic, ‘oil plastic’ acts as both surface and paint for Gross’s art. The result is colourful, vibrant and three-dimensional, aiming to highlight the potential of industrial production in a retrospective view of our current times.

Audrey Lyall is also no stranger to using uncommon materials for her unique art. ‘Fun House II’ is a perfect example of this global trend as the more time you spend looking at this artwork, the more unique materials you’re likely to discover! From paper to faux eyelashes, foam stars to mirror pieces, Lyall’s statement collages are defying the boundaries of materials traditionally used to create art.

Nature-inspired art

In a year marked by environmental distress, the art world has witnessed a notable revival of nature-focused artworks. This is perhaps unsurprising, as our desire to reconnect with the natural world seems to be a universal one.

We’ve seen artists gravitating towards peaceful settings, from majestic mountain landscapes to tranquil oceanic views and the intricate beauty of botanical and floral art. As our lives get even more hectic by the day, art provides an escape, a moment of peace rarely found amidst the chaos of modern life. Dorel’s art, for instance, borrows colours from nature, showing us just how well they go together in the form of contemporary, abstract natural art.

Rhett Brewer’s works are a perfect example of how nature-focused art has the power to transport you to their source of inspiration. The Sydney-based landscape painter incorporates elements of mid twentieth century modernism and hints of pop art into his romantic interpretations of the Australian landscape.

Taking a more impressionist turn to spotlight Alanna Eakin’s natural art, capturing the essence of a vibrant landscape.

Getting her inspiration from the everyday, she brings a dreamlike fairytale scenario to life, focusing particularly on aspects related to colour, light and dimensions.

We expect these popular art world trends to stretch over to 2025 so make sure you catch us at your nearest Affordable Art Fair next year and stay ahead of the art curve!

Main image: Agata Di Masternak, ‘Abstract No 29’, hand-tufted wool tapestry. 80 x 78.5 cm, framed, 2018, Agart