8 Artists To Watch in 2024

Happy 2024, and what better way to start the new year than with a shortlist of some of the most exciting artists to watch and follow today? The selection consists of eight artists who caught my eye in the past year and whom I will follow closely in the coming twelve months as we continue to hold our fingers at the pulse of the art world.

The upcoming anthology showcases various artists, from emerging and young artists to more mature artists on the verge of becoming true established artists. Some had a couple of breakthrough shows or a tremendous surge in the art market in 2023 and are carrying a lot of momentum, whereas others are on the brink of an imminent breakthrough in the new year.

Please note that the list is not a ranking, as the artists are mentioned alphabetically. From the artists I have picked up throughout the year, for this article, I have selected the artists with an upward career trend using the analytical research tool Artfacts,¹ including their new heat index, and the Artsy art market recap of 2023.²

1. Alia Ahmad

Alia Ahmad, born in 1996, is an artist whose large-scale paintings serve as an homage to her native city, the industrial desert metropolis of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, exploring time, place, and memory, transforming vivid and carefully chosen color palettes into abstracted landscapes. In her artistic process, Ahmad constructs social spaces within linear representations of the desert, highlighting the stark contrast between the vast emptiness of the landscape and the vibrancy of flora. She draws inspiration from the aesthetics of incomplete woven textiles, using these as a foundation for blending process, space, and sensory elements.

Ahmad’s paintings employ a visual language that blends linguistic elements with impressionistic techniques. She incorporates subtle, faded lines and calligraphic motifs across various canvases. She draws comparisons to Lee Ufan’s works that bridge the natural and industrial worlds, Joan Mitchell’s abstract landscapes, and Vincent Van Gogh’s expressive brushstrokes.³ The response to this unique combination was staggering in 2023, with the second-highest year-over-year growth in inquiries for artists’ works listed on Artsy—as illustrated in their latest art market report.⁴ An utmost significant statistic showing more than great promise for the new year.

Installation view of "Alia Ahmad: من الحلم .. . روضة (A meadow … from a dream)" (2022-2023) at Michael Kohn Gallery in Los Angeles, US.

Alia Ahmad, Al Bustan - The grove, 2022. Oil on canvas — 67 3/4 x 80 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, Al Rawdah - The Meadow, 2022. Oil on canvas — 68 x 79 1/2 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, Hameel - Morning Rain, 2022. Oil on canvas — 68 3/4 x 98 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, In time, a bloom, 2022. Oil on canvas — 68 x 80 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, Sukoon - A clam, 2022. Oil on linen — 67 x 75 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, Leaf study 1, 2022. Oil on canvas — 37 1/4 x 31 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, Word in weave, 2022. Oil on canvas — 68 x 79 1/2 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, Leaf study 2, 2022. Oil on canvas — 37 x 31 1/4 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, Shafg el Guroob - Dusk, in goodbyes, 2022. Oil on canvas — 51 x 58 1/2 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

Alia Ahmad, From a dream - Min Al Helim, 2022. Oil on canvas — 67 3/4 x 80 in. Courtesy Michael Kohn Gallery.

 

 

2. Frederic Anderson

Frederic Anderson—born in 1973 in Luxembourg and residing and working in London, the United Kingdom—is an abstract painter who focuses on the expressive potential of gestural mark-making to convey and communicate raw experiences on a purely emotional level. His works are characterized by spontaneous jots, scribbled lines, and seemingly casual marks, with a subtle haze on a slightly warmer surface—juxtaposing bright color while slightly blending the rough edges of the mark to make it less aggressive and more volatile or elusive. Anderson is known for creating his own paint, utilizing pure mineral pigments often sourced from semi-precious stones such as tourmaline and lapis lazuli. He begins his artistic process with canvases with signs of wear, such as dirt or fingerprints, guiding his initial artistic impulses.

Anderson’s approach to art is akin to a form of meditation; he works rapidly and instinctively, sidestepping over-analysis and doubt. There is something unmistakable paradoxical in Frederic Anderson’s work, as it is both impromptu and carefully crafted, gritty yet polished, blending external influences with personal introspection. Impressive showings at international art fairs throughout 2023 at Arco Madrid, Tefaf Maastricht, Art Geneve, and with the support of Van De Weghe—a gallery with a long-standing tradition of representing some of the most iconic abstract painters—it is very likely that the irresistible beauty of Anderson’s work will continue to spread across the globe.⁵

Installation view of "Frederic Anderson: Skinny Jeans, Flutter, Prime Mover" (2021) at VDW Contemporary, New York.

Frederic Anderson, Soaring Prices, Soft-Rock Ballads, 2023. Pigments, gesso, acrylic, watercolor on canvas — 170 x 130 cm. Courtesy the artist and Van De Weghe.

Frederic Anderson, Celestial Convergence, Aubergine Whispers, 2023. Pigments, gesso, acrylic, watercolor on canvas — 170 x 130 cm. Courtesy the artist and Van De Weghe.

Frederic Anderson, Kant, Succotash, Cornflower Blue, 2022. Pigments, gesso, acrylic, watercolour on canvas — 170 x 130 cm. Courtesy the artist and Van De Weghe.

Frederic Anderson, Sweet Intervention, Blood-Red Chrysoprase, 2022. Chalk, pigments, dispersion, watercolour on canvas — 170 × 130 cm. Courtesy the artist and Van De Weghe.

Frederic Anderson, Down-Tempo, Emotional Triggers, 2023. Pigments, gesso, acrylic, watercolor on canvas — 170 x 130 cm. Courtesy the artist and Van De Weghe.

Frederic Anderson, Tidal forces, Tracks, Vibraphone, 2022. Pigments, gesso, acrylic, watercolour on canvas — 170 x 130 cm. Courtesy the artist and Van De Weghe.

Frederic Anderson, Boundless Melancholy, Safe Distance, 2022. Chalk, pigments, dispersion, watercolour on canvas — 170 × 130 cm. Courtesy the artist and Van De Weghe.

 

 

3. Niklas Asker

Niklas Asker, born in 1979 in Nordingrå, Sweden, currently residing and working in Malmö, is a contemporary artist best known for his figurative, painterly practice. His one-person show at Nicodim in Los Angeles—a gallery with a strong reputation for discovering exciting figurative painters—was a stand-out exhibition, giving his career significant momentum and promise for 2024. The quality of his work is undeniably breathtaking, echoing the sentiments expressed by William Blake about the importance of observing the finer details in our surroundings.

This philosophy is evident in Asker’s work, often highlighted through subtle elements like elusive shadows or the fine lines of skin. His approach to art can be likened to an archaeological method, as he draws inspiration from a wide range of historical influences, from Auguste Rodin to Carl Eldh. Asker articulates his artistic vision as a pursuit of pure human expression, consciously eliminating superfluous elements.⁶

Installation view of "Niklas Asker: The Shroud" (2023) at Nicodim Gallery in Los Angeles, US.

Niklas Asker, Breath (The Hunter), 2023. Oil on canvas — 46 x 33 cm / 18 x 13 in. Courtesy Nicodim Gallery.

Niklas Asker, Ghost, 2023. Oil on canvas — 115 x 75 cm / 45 x 29.5 in. Courtesy Nicodim Gallery.

Niklas Asker, Sacrifice, 2023. Oil on canvas — 81 x 60 cm / 32 x 23.5 in. Courtesy Nicodim Gallery.

Niklas Asker, The Shroud, 2023. Oil on canvas — 115 x 84 cm / 45 x 33 in. Courtesy Nicodim Gallery.

Niklas Asker, Moonlight, 2023. Oil on canvas — 180 x 140 cm / 71 x 55 in. Courtesy Nicodim Gallery.

Niklas Asker, A Way Forward, 2023. Oil on canvas — 46 x 33 cm. Courtesy Union Pacific.

Niklas Asker, The Couple, 2022. Oil on canvas — 50 x 35 cm. Courtesy Union Pacific.

Niklas Asker, Last Light, 2023. Oil on canvas — 46 x 33 cm. Courtesy Union Pacific.

 

 

4. Bram Demunter

Born in 1993 in my personal birth town, Kortrijk, Belgium, where the artist continues to work and reside, Bram Demunter is a contemporary painter ending 2023 and starting the new year with a stunning solo show at Tim Van Laere Gallery in Antwerp, Belgium. Demunter creates art that reflects on humanity and our role in the world as he delves into the myths and stories we construct, the visual cultures we develop, and the lasting impressions we leave on the natural environment. In his paintings and drawings, Demunter meticulously gathers, scrutinizes, and categorizes various elements. He often spends extensive periods examining an object, contemplating its origins and the history it has witnessed. These objects gradually embed themselves in his subconscious, forming new links between forgotten symbols, myths, legends, and tales, which he then skillfully relates to more contemporary events.

Demunter’s body of work does not present a clear-cut message but instead creates an amalgam of meanings and analogies for interpretation that connect with both individual and shared memories. The motifs in his work trigger associations without being tied to specific symbols or archetypes. This approach underscores the coexistence of multiple themes and their representation in his art. The combination of talent, patience, intellect, enigma, and a very appealing quirkiness in his work makes us wonder if he can follow in the footsteps of his Belgian compatriots, who became extraordinarily successful under the guidance of Tim Van Laere. My best guess is a solid ‘yes.’⁷

Installation view of "Bram Demunter: Burrowers, Climbers, Crawlers" (2023-2024) at Tim Van Laere Gallery in Antwerp, Belgium.

Bram Demunter, A New One for the Collection, 2023. Oil on canvas — 60 x 50 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery.

Bram Demunter, Portrait in the Mud, 2023. Oil on canvas — 35 x 25 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery.

Bram Demunter, They Collected all Kinds of Stuff, 2023. Oil on canvas — 60 x 50 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery.

Bram Demunter, Clearing the Mountain, 2023. Oil on canvas — 200 x 170 cm.

Bram Demunter, Strong Wind, 2023. Oil on canvas — 112.5 x 116 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery.

Bram Demunter, Blazing Sun, 2023. Oil on canvas — 180 x 125 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery.

Bram Demunter, Roaring Clouds, 2023. Oil on canvas — 180 x 125. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery.

 

 

5. Özgür Kar

Özgür Kar, born in 1992 in Ankara, Turkey, currently resides and works in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The first time I encountered Kar’s work was in the basement of Liebaert Projects, showcasing a monumental video installation. His artistic creations are uniquely arranged in space, resembling characters in a theatrical production, each playing a distinct role within a non-linear narrative. He collaborates with voice actors and musicians to craft complex, multi-layered soundscapes characterized by solemn repetition, blending a sense of existential unease with dark, cartoon-like humor elements.

His works exhibit a contemplative stoicism, particularly evident in his minimally animated drawings. These drawings are subtly looped, transforming videos into sculptural forms that are seemingly trapped within the confines of television screens. Beyond the overtly eerie and grotesque themes juxtaposed with cartoon figures, Kar’s power seems to lie in its evocation of contemporary existential themes, presented in a dramatically tonal manner. With impressive institutional shows year in year out, the career trend of Özgür Kar does not seem to slow down at all—on the contrary. If he continues to do so throughout the new year, we can only expect more exquisite work by Kar being presented in the highest realms of art world.⁸

Installation view of "Özgür Kar: GRIM" (2021) at Liebaert Projects in Kortrijk, Belgium.

Özgür Kar, Death with Branch (from DAWN), 2023. 2-channel 4K video with sound, 2 75" TVs, media players, vertical wall mounts, cables. Duration: 13:00 min (looped) — 332.2 x 187 cm. Edition of 3 + 2 AP's. Courtesy Emalin.

Installation view of "Özgür Kar & Jacqueline de Jong, Pas de Deux: Death's Crook" (2023) at Chateau Shatto in Los Angeles, US.

Özgür Kar, Death with Clarinet, 2021. 4K video with sound 15mins loop 75" Samsung TV, custom flightcase, media player, speaker — Open: 122 x 176 x 125 cm / 48 1/8 x 69 1/4 x 49 1/4 in. Closed: 122 x 176 x 38 cm / 48 1/8 x 69 1/4 x 15 in. Courtesy Emalin.

Installation view of "Özgür Kar: HAND PLAY" (2022) at Emalin in London, UK.

Özgür Kar, Monologue 5, 2018. 4K video with sound 9 minutes seamless loop. Courtesy Emalin.

 

 

6. Francesca Mollett

Up next, we encounter another painter listed in the top ten (fourth spot) of Artsy’s art market report regarding year-over-year growth in inquiries: Francesca Mollett. Born in 1991 in Bristol, residing and working in London, the United Kingdom, Mollet is best known for her abstract paintings that dynamically respond to their surrounding space and context. Her works are meditations on light and surface, emerging from a process that is both fluid and precise. Mollett’s compositions develop by distilling observations from images and analyzing the evolving interactions of paint, where she explores the tension between luminosity and density.

Mollett’s art is frequently inspired by literary sources, reflecting a profound connection between the essence of life and the concept of time, elements that elude direct representation. Her paintings often depict organic subjects, yet she renders them so that their distinctive characteristics blend into new yet recognizably familiar forms. This delicate balance of specificity in Mollett’s work acts as a vehicular medium for viewers to experience desire, understanding, and sincere engagement.⁹

Installation view of "Francesca Mollet: Halves" (2023) at GRIMM in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Francesca Mollet, Plough, 2023. Oil on linen — 230 x 180 cm / 90 1/2 x 70 7/8 in. Courtesy GRIMM.

Francesca Mollet, Untitled, 2023. Oil on linen — 60 x 40 cm / 23 5/8 x 15 3/4 in. Courtesy GRIMM.

Francesca Mollet, Roses from the Basement, 2023. Oil on linen — 170 x 220 cm / 66 7/8 x 86 5/8 in. Courtesy GRIMM.

Francesca Mollet, Burning Mirror, 2023. Oil on linen — 50 x 40 cm / 19 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. Courtesy GRIMM.

Francesca Mollet, Bended Knee, 2023. Oil and acrylic on canvas — 190 x 160 cm / 74 3/4 x 63 in. Courtesy GRIMM.

 

 

7. Diane Severin Nguyen

Diane Severin Nguyen, born in 1990 in Carson City, is a contemporary artist currently residing and working in New York City. Nguyen’s work in photography, video, and installation art is deeply influenced by various sources, including social media content, philosophical texts from the 20th century, and various objects found on the streets of New York City that she has referred to as psychic garbage. By amalgamating these varied elements, her art reflects the discord in online culture. It challenges traditional distinctions between high and low culture, authenticity and fabrication, and what is considered appealing or off-putting, in which a recurring theme is the interplay between alienation and intimacy.

Nguyen adopts an improvisational approach in her photography, creating small-scale scenarios using a variety of materials, from toenails and fruit to grass jelly. She is intrigued by the challenge of capturing transient processes and photographs of materials as they undergo dynamic changes such as burning, bubbling, tearing, or sinking, capturing them in moments of irrevocable transformation. Her photography often features extreme close-ups and vivid colors, deliberately making the identity of the subjects ambiguous.¹⁰ 2023 was another impressive year for the young American artist with shows in Paris, Berlin, Beijing, and Los Angeles, and I am most curious to see her new works and new projects involved this year.

Installation view of "Diane Severin Nguyen & Brandon Ndife: Minor Twin Worlds" (2019) at Bureau in New York, US.

Diane Severin Nguyen, Wilting Helix, 2019. LightJet C-print, steel frame — dimensions unknown. Courtesy the artist and Bureau.

Diane Severin Nguyen, Liquid Isolation, 2019. LightJet C-print, steel frame — dimensions unknown. Courtesy the artist and Bureau.

Diane Severin Nguyen, Plain Portal, 2019. LightJet C-print, steel frame — dimensions unknown. Courtesy the artist and Bureau.

Diane Severin Nguyen, Co-dependant Exile, 2019. LightJet C-print, steel frame — dimensions unknown. Courtesy the artist and Bureau.

Diane Severin Nguyen, Breakthrough Sunrise, 2018. LightJet C-print, steel frame — dimensions unknown. Courtesy the artist and Bureau.

Diane Severin Nguyen, Between Two Solitudes, 2019. LightJet C-print, steel frame — dimensions unknown. Courtesy the artist and Bureau.

Installation view of "Diane Severin Nguyen: Flesh Before Body" (2019) at Bad Reputation in Los Angeles, US. Image courtesy of the artist and Bad Reputation.

 

 

8. Laurent Proux

One of my favorite shows of 2023 took place at one of my favorite Paris galleries; Sunburn, a stunning solo presentation by Laurent Proux—an artist that I have been following for a while—at Semiose convinced me entirely that the French painter would fulfill his potential completely. Born in Versailles in 1980, residing and working in Paris, Proux’s painting and drawing are marked by a strong and distinctive visual language as he employs techniques such as integrating anomalies, juxtaposing different planes, and using artificial colors. His treatment of the human figure is notable for its fragmentation, exaggerated forms, and silhouette usage, resulting in a portrayal of the body as a politicized, machine-like entity that is simultaneously unsettling and emotive.¹¹

His latest series of paintings were created during his residency at Casa Velazquez, filled with sunlight, flesh, and exquisite painting, in which meaty bodies entangle in acts of metamorphosis, love, or cannibalism. The sheer power and delicacy of these pictures were received outside of the Paris’ gallery walls, with a strong showing at Art Geneve and Pace Gallery in Hong Kong. Therefore, I simply cannot wait to see what Laurent Proux has in store for us in 2024, with Sunburn burned into my retinas, seared in my brain, and leaving me longing for more.

Installation view of "Laurent Proux: Sunburn" (2023) at Semiose in Paris, France.

Laurent Proux, Under the Tree II (Harvest), 2023. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

Laurent Proux, Under the Tree III, 2023. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

Laurent Proux, The Escape, 2023. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

Laurent Proux, Cannibal Sun, 2023. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

Laurent Proux, Mer du Nord, 2023. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

Laurent Proux, L'Arbre, 2023. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

Laurent Proux, Les Notes Solaires, 2022. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

Laurent Proux, Les Naufragés, 2022. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

Laurent Proux, Dans les Herbes Hautes II (Le Crépuscule), 2022. Oil on canvas — dimensions unknown. Courtesy Semiose.

 

 

Notes:

1. Artfacts, Heat Index at https://artfacts.net/artist-momentum consulted January 11, 2024. ↩︎
2. Artsy, The Art Market Recap 2023 at https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-art-market-recap-2023 consulted January 11, 2024. ↩︎
3. Michael Kohn Gallery, Alia Ahmad at https://www.kohngallery.com/ahmad consulted January 12, 2024. ↩︎
4. Ibidem note 2. ↩︎
5. Van De Weghe, Frederic Anderson: Paintings at https://www.vdwny.com/exhibitions/frederic-anderson consulted January 12, 204. ↩︎
6. Union Pacific, Niklas Asker at https://www.unionpacific.co.uk/artists/niklas-asker/ consulted January 11, 2024. ↩︎
7. Tim Van Laere Gallery, Bram Demunter: Burrowers, Climbers, Crawlers at https://www.timvanlaeregallery.com/bdm-exh2023 consulted January 11, 2024. ↩︎
8. Emalin, Özgür Kar at https://emalin.co.uk/artists/ozgur-kar consulted January 11, 2024. ↩︎
9. GRIMM, Francesca Mollet at https://grimmgallery.com/artists/137-francesca-mollett/ consulted January 12, 2024. ↩︎
10. Art21, Diane Severin Nguyen at https://art21.org/artist/diane-severin-nguyen/ consulted January 12, 2024. ↩︎
11. Semiose, Laurent Proux at https://semiose.com/en/artist/laurent-proux/ consulted January 12, 2024. ↩︎

Last Updated on August 23, 2024