History and theory of modern and contemporary art, 1900-today

From 52 £ /h

From Matisse to Ai Weiwei. A survey in the art of our times.

This is a course about 20th and 21st-century western art built-in 10 hourly sessions and 3 sections. We will follow the 20th-century art from Impressionism up to today polymorphic art.
In the 1st section of 5 lessons, we will examine the western art from 1900-1960.
In the 2nd section of 3 lessons, we will talk about 1960-2000 art.
In the 3rd section of 2 lessons, we will look at 21st-century art.
Sessions can be adjustable regarding your special interests.

We will talk about movements, theories, famous great artists and works as well as unappreciated and unacknowledged but important ones. We will focus on the social-political background of each period, science, philosophy and psychoanalysis and their impact in artistic creativity. We will discuss modernism, structuralism and post-structuralism, abstract, conceptual and minimal art, pop art, performance, fluxus and happenings, feminist and activistic art, postmodernism and contemporary movements. We will examine famous exhibitions, interactions with music, literature and pop culture, globalization and post-colonialist approaches.
After each course, I will send you a rich interdisciplinary bibliography and filmography that will help deepen in the issues we’ll be discussing.

Extra information

You only need a notebook.

Location

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

I am a London-based freelance curator, art historian, writer, and translator. I have organized and curated a variety of art projects and exhibitions while several of my texts have been published in printed and online media. I am currently writing for the online art magazine elculture.gr and the greek art newspaper Ta Nea tis Technis, about the contemporary art scene.

Education

BA in Physics, University of Athens
MA in Conservation of Historic Objects, De Montford University, Lincoln
PhD in History of Contemporary Art, University of Athens

Experience / Qualifications

10 years of tutoring experience
Professional in art criticism for the last 7 years.
Professional art curator for the last 15 years.

Age

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Greek

Skills

Art history

Art

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Jaume

4.8

(25)

I am a visual artist born in Barcelona, settled in Belgium since 2017. As an artist I have accumulated experience for the last 25 years. I am graduated with an Academic Bachelor in Fine Arts in the University of Barcelona and graduated as a Master in Visual Arts at Sint Lucas School of Arts in Antwerpen.

I am specialised in painting, drawing, experimental films, installations, language, sound and curating. In other words, I am a multidisciplinary artist.

I understand the artistic practice as a way to understand ourselves and the situations which surrounds us. In my classes I don't teach how to do Art, but as how to say something through your artistic work. With me you can work independently, with a coach who will challenge you with some assignments and giving feedback to your personal concerns.

In addition, you will learn how to work with several mediums, preparing your own material: paintings, canvases, and so on.

You will not only receive individual coaching but as encourage you to look other artists or take into account other references connected with your concerns.

Finding, discussing and retaking solutions together are the core of my classes.

Xingying

4.8

(25)

Painting and drawing are not just techniques—they are also powerful tools for presentation, mediation, and self-expression. This class will guide you through the essentials of painting and drawing, covering foundational skills such as perspective, anatomy, and color theory, as well as techniques for analyzing and critiquing artwork.

From still life and portraiture to landscapes, abstract painting, and multimedia art, this course will support you in developing your unique visual language. Based on your individual goals and interests, I will create a tailored plan to help you achieve the best possible outcomes in your artistic journey.

Katarzyna

4.8

(25)

Egg tempera is one of the most ancient historical art painting technique. It preserved as a main technique to paint orthodox religious icons. It is possible to learn it and paint your own icon. I have 12 years of practice teaching people how to do it. We work together step by step to understand the technique, the way to prepare wooden panel to paint an icon and the techniques of making a good project to make the icon fit to the board. We also learn how to make gold leaf layer on the halos. Your icon will be a real, crafted icon.

Idris

4.8

(25)

I am an artist and philosopher from Amsterdam currently living in Antwerp. I studied in London where I acquired a BA from Art Academy London and a BA in philosophy from St Mary's University London.

Artistic development starts by identifying your artistic interest. As artists, we don’t always know why we draw and paint the things that we do. Yet they are not random. What captivates us or draws us towards certain artworks? This might be the tonal way in which light reflects, structural forms or mathematical division. The point being, is that we all have such aesthetic interests and step 1 is finding out what interests you!

Step 2 is helping you express your interests through painting techniques, styles and materiality. But it all starts with you. What do you want to say? And how? I will help you do this through discussion, looking at your previous work (if you have any), introducing you to a LARGE variety of artists, potentially copying their styles. I adjust my classes according to your needs.

The goal is simple: to come to understand your artistic interest, help you find techniques to express them and develop your artistic language.

(Please note that just because you have found an artistic interest and a way to express it, it does not mean that you must do only one thing for the rest of your life. It is the downfall of creativity to repeat and paint the same way over and over again. Instead, allow your interests to drive your creativity. Let it be the starting point, venture out and discover it from various angles and ways of expressing it. But also be mindful that as we grow our interests can change and as they change, we must remain honest and respond accordingly such that our artistic language can also grow.)

Have questions? Don’t hesitate to message me! I can tailor a class to your needs :)

Emer

4.8

(25)

Remember the goal - you want to make good art.
A good critique will give you new insight, new direction, career advice and energy to do this!

Where am I going with this? Too much or not enough?
Learn to define your position, your place and your market.

I will offer perspective on your strengths and constructive feedback on what needs to be improved. There are ways to inspire what is working and how to improve your weaker points that builds confidence, technique and style.

Editing is key - colour, form, aesthetic, emotion, influence and pace. I can help you understand exciting trends in Contemporary Art and that relevance to Art History. I will provide you with the resources to dig deeper and show you your next steps. At the end of the critique you will feel equipped and excited to get to work.

Recommended booking - 3 classes including introduction, follow up and final presentation.

Asa

4.8

(25)

Graduated from Central Saint Martins with a BA in Womenswear, and a Master’s degree in Knitwear from Institut Français de la Mode in Paris.
I have gained industry experience working with leading luxury houses including Chanel, Hermès, and I am currently working at Dior as a Knitwear Designer. My professional background allows me to bring both academic insight and real industry standards into my mentoring.

I specialise in portfolio preparation for fashion school applications. Together, we will build a portfolio that reflects your creative identity, technical skills, and conceptual thinking.
I can support you with:
-How to conduct and develop strong, relevant research
-Translating research into design development
-Showing your creative process through sketching, textiles, and experimentation
-Building silhouettes and developing final outcomes
-Curating and editing your work strategically
-Structuring and laying out your portfolio
-Presenting your projects clearly and professionally
-We will cover how to curate and present your work — from initial sketches and research to final pieces — ensuring -your portfolio communicates your unique, stylised world with confidence and coherence.

Together, we will create a portfolio that not only meets the expectations of leading fashion schools, but helps you stand out — and ultimately supports you in gaining a place at the school you aspire to attend.

Feel free to message me!

Anne

4.8

(25)

As a trained visual artist (Master of Fine Arts HFBK Hamburg) and graphic designer (Master of Arts Merz Akademie Stuttgart), I offer professional support in both fields:

This includes one or more of these abilities

- Sketching/drawing in all its facets (body, perspective, face, object, shadows,...)
- Writing down conceptual ideas
- Documenting creative processes
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign)
- Video editing
- sound design

Emilio

4.8

(25)

I am passionate about the humanities and have several years of experience helping students overcome their academic challenges. I see History and Geography as key tools for understanding the modern world. I consider myself an approachable, patient, and dedicated teacher committed to my students' success, always striving to spark their curiosity and enhance their critical thinking skills through clear explanations.

Tanja

4.8

(25)

This online painting class covers watercolour, acrylic, and oil painting, with subjects including landscapes, portraits, still life, animals and abstract work. Lessons follow a clear, structured program developed over many years, helping students progress step by step while exploring their own style.

Classes focus on colour, composition, and technique through practical demonstrations and guided practice. Suitable for beginners and more experienced students, with lessons adapted to individual goals.

A second camera is used during lessons so students can clearly see my hands and understand each technique in detai

Coralie

4.8

(25)

After three years of studies in applied arts (decorative arts and design), two years of preparatory studies in art and design, and two years of art school, I offer my services to teach art and design through courses and workshops.
These cover a wide range of topics, from art therapy to learning artistic methods, including building a portfolio for admission to art school.
I therefore offer personalized training courses, tailored to the needs of each individual.

Helena

4.8

(25)

The workshop teaches participants how to create selfmade painting and drawing materials from natural pigments and colours (vegetables, plants, soils etc.) and different painting and drawing techniques with these natural colors (watercolour, oil painting, crayon drawing etc.). The workshop has two parts: First, we will experiment together with different ways to craft our own colours from natural ingredients. Then, artworks on paper or canvas will be created.

Thaís

4.8

(25)

Hi, I'm Thaís from Brasil :) I teach with patience and a personalized approach, focusing on each student’s specific challenges. I draw and paint alongside my students, making the learning process clearer, more accessible, and more engaging. My classes use dynamic methods and explore a wide range of drawing and painting techniques, including color studies, sketching, scale, depth, light and shadow, and perspective.

I work with simple and effective methods that sharpen visual perception and develop a deeper understanding of color, form, and texture. My goal is to help students build confidence in their creative abilities, even if they already have basic skills, are complete beginners or aspiring professionals.

Class content (fundaments):

Introduction to essential materials.
Perception of shapes and basic structures.
Proportion and shading studies.
Perspective techniques.
Creation of artistic compositions.

Aristoteles

4.8

(25)

conversation +

Conversation + is a new conversation based format that combines grammar, syntax, understanding vocabulary and expressions as well as the practice of correct pronunciation and intonation with the reading of a text of your choosing. On the basis of a selected text the conversation evolves around the topics at hand; parallel to this, we discuss anything language-related that comes up. Any question, any problem can be addressed. In this way, linguistic issues can be explored in greater depth, based on your specific field(s) of interest. This fosters a stronger engagement, promotes enthusiasm, and openness that oftentimes fall short in a classic language course situation.

Fields of interest include

literature - we read a book, poem, short-story, etc
philosophy - we read german philosophy in the original, or secondary work on the subject
art - texts concerning art, theater, music etc.
science - scientific articles, specialized literature about science
politics - newspaper articles, essays, etc.
contemporary culture - articles, esssays, etc.

Carolina

4.8

(25)

Modeling isn't just about being professional; it's about learning to understand your body and posture. It's about knowing your best angles when taking photos of yourself, how to look your best in pictures, and how to handle heels—not just for special occasions, but as your go-to footwear, walking in them with confidence and poise.

Zeinab

4.8

(25)

My name is Zainab, I'm from Egypt, and I teach Arabic language and calligraphy as an art, as well as offering handwriting improvement courses for all age groups.in English for native and non native as well