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Fine Arts: Contemporary Art

Use this guide to find information on fine arts, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and time-based art in databases and journals. Click on the tabs below to learn more.

Getting started

Contemporary Art is the term given to art that is considered 'of its time' or of the very recent past. Rather than defining a specific period it has a more elastic scope and moves forward with time.

Keyword searching

  • Search using keywords to find information.
  • Use quotation marks around names or common phrases, e.g. "Jim Dine" "conceptual art"
Examples of keywords to use for finding information about contemporary art and artists.
To find information on: Use
art genres or movements

“conceptual art”; minimalism; postmodernism

artists

“Ralph Hotere”; “Seraphine Pick” exhibitions; “Cindy Sherman” interviews

Recommended resources

Library Catalogue

Use the Catalogue to find books, journal articles, images, videos and more held in our Library collection.    

Background information

Databases

Theses and dissertations

Theses are a good place to start to understand the expectations of your discipline. 

Web resources

Journals

CAI Study and Research Skills

The Creative Arts and Industries Study and Research Skills Hub is designed to help you develop the academic skills needed to succeed in your studies.

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