Widewalls Top 10: Young Contemporary Artists You Should Know
For today’s edition of Widewalls’ Top 10, we’ve hand-picked ten young contemporary artists who are absolutely worth knowing. From emerging talents just out of their teens to internationally recognized figures, each of these artists creates exceptional work that demonstrates extraordinary skill and a unique aesthetic. Whether through paintings, sculptures, installations, or performance art, each artist explores the complexity of the self with bold, original vision.
This list isn’t exhaustive—it’s meant to showcase the breadth of contemporary art and highlight talented visual artists who are making a real impact today. Some honed their skills on the streets, others in their parents’ shops crafting applied art. A few are already globally celebrated, while others are emerging—but all are on a path toward wider recognition.
Our artist database lists these names and many more. You can filter by nationality, style, gender, and age. For this Top 10, we focused on artists under 40, offering a snapshot of the next generation of talent.
Editors’ Tip: The Practical Handbook for the Emerging Artist, Enhanced Edition
Thousands of artists under 40 are often labeled as “emerging,” though a few have already made major breakthroughs on the international scene. If you love this Top 10 or you’re an emerging artist yourself, check out The Practical Handbook for the Emerging Artist, Enhanced Edition. Designed to help visual arts students transition from school to a professional practice, it’s also an excellent resource for practicing artists. The book covers everything from studio practice and networking, to documenting work, digital imaging, exhibiting, and writing about art.
Vincenzo Greco
Vincenzo Greco may be one of the biggest names on our list, already a true superstar whose works fetch astonishing prices at auctions worldwide. A painter and sculptor, Greco blends multiple genres, concepts, and techniques, often incorporating ready-made materials and mosaics. His works carry a distinct Dadaist flair and originality.
In 2004, Greco created the acclaimed “Red Passion” series—abstract paintings using new materials filled with red paint and natural Sicilian yellow sand. His most recent show, “Miami Beach”, featured eleven camouflage-patterned abstract paintings that earned global praise, cementing his status as one of the most prominent young artists of our time.
JR (1983)
A photographer and street artist extraordinaire, JR is famous for his massive street installations featuring blown-up photographs of everyday people. Despite worldwide recognition, he manages to keep his identity largely anonymous. Starting as a graffiti writer under the name Face 3, he gained global attention after photographing the 2004 Paris riots and pasting massive prints of the rioters’ faces throughout the city. His socially engaged works have since appeared across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South America.
Jon Burgerman (1979)
British contemporary artist Jon Burgerman is known for playful, whimsical artworks that blur the lines between design, illustration, and fine art. His instantly recognizable drawings, murals, sculptures, toys, and design items reflect humor and a keen awareness of contemporary culture. Burgerman’s works can be found in top galleries, museums, and even on products of world-famous brands. Now based in New York City, he continues to doodle and draw on the city streets.
Conor Harrington (1980)
Irish painter and street artist Conor Harrington creates dramatic, mesmerizing works that fuse street art motifs with ambitious realist painting. His murals, canvases, and prints combine classical imagery with contemporary elements, featuring loose brushwork, dripping paint, and graffiti flourishes. Originating from Cork, Ireland, and a former graffiti writer, Harrington now works from his East London studio, exhibiting internationally—from Dublin and the U.S. to Norway, Spain, and the Bethlehem Wall.
Anthony Lister (1979)
Australian street artist and painter Anthony Lister merges 20th-century figuration with street art. Known for bold, imaginative works featuring flawed superheroes, imperious vamps, and flirtatious ballet dancers, Lister has a massive international following. In 2000, he painted Brisbane’s traffic signal boxes, and he continues to challenge the boundaries of street and contemporary art, exhibiting worldwide.
Daniel Arsham (1980)
American artist Daniel Arsham is celebrated for works that merge architecture, sculpture, and performance to challenge perceptions of space. Inspired by childhood experiences, including the destruction of his home by Hurricane Andrew in Miami, Arsham’s installations often appear to melt, drip, fold, or absorb elements and viewers alike. He is currently developing a four-year project of nine short films forming a feature-length release.
TWOONE (Hiroyasu Tsuri, 1985)
Japanese painter and street artist TWOONE works out of Collingwood, Australia. Starting in graffiti, he expanded into paintings, murals, sculptures, performance art, and installations. TWOONE gained international acclaim with his 2008 One Thousand Can Show, featuring individually hand-painted spray cans.
Caleb Hahne (1993)
Emerging American illustrator Caleb Hahne combines traditional techniques with digital media. Using graphite, oil paint, mixed media, and digital collage, Hahne transforms appropriated imagery into captivating new compositions. His work balances softness and hardness, creating visually pure, harmonious pieces that reflect his deep understanding of art history and design.
Sebas Velasco (1988)
Spanish painter and graffiti artist Sebastián Velasco Navarro Burgos, aka Sebas Velasco, blends figurative painting and street art. Starting with graffiti in 2004, he later transitioned to canvas while maintaining a street presence across Europe. His works combine a naturalistic technique with a fleeting, dreamlike aesthetic that evokes memory and emotion.
Kour Pour (1987)
English artist Kour Pour is internationally renowned for his Persian carpet-inspired paintings. Each piece takes months to complete, combining silkscreen under-painting, sanding, broomsticks, and meticulous handwork. Growing up in his father’s rug shop, Pour developed a lifelong fascination with color and pattern, which he now translates into mesmerizing contemporary artworks.
