FIVE EMERGING ARTISTS TO WATCH: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CONTEMPORARY ART
In the dynamic world of contemporary art, a select few talents emerge each year, captivating audiences with their unique perspectives and innovative creations. These five artists: Vanessa Raw, Sylvia Ong, Jason Ho, Amanda Ba, and Eliene Boerma are redefining the boundaries of art with their thought provoking works. Here’s why they deserve your attention.
Vanessa Raw: Feminine Narratives in Dreamlike Landscapes
British artist Vanessa Raw has captivated the art world with her surreal, female-focused paintings that weave empowerment and tranquility into soft, dreamlike imagery. Born in 1984, Raw’s work explores the intersection of strength and vulnerability, reclaiming the gaze through fluid compositions and a bold use of color. Her paintings offer meditative spaces charged with subtle sensuality, where viewers are invited to reflect on themes of identity, femininity, and emotional resilience.
In 2010, Raw received the prestigious Edward Sharp Painting Award, an early recognition of her exceptional talent. Since then, her art has continued to evolve, gaining international acclaim. Most recently, her first U.S. solo exhibition, This is How the Light Gets In, held at the Rubell Museum in Miami, was lauded for its deeply evocative and introspective approach.
Beyond her exhibitions, Raw’s artistic philosophy embraces the idea of healing through art, using her works to create a dialogue around empowerment and self-discovery. With a unique ability to blend the surreal with the serene, Vanessa Raw has firmly established herself as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary art today.
Sylvia Ong: Abstract Blooms of Emotion
Self-taught artist Sylvia Ong, born in 1980 in Kuala Lumpur, transforms the delicate beauty of flowers, particularly orchids, into vibrant abstract compositions that radiate energy and emotion. Her layered paintings capture the organic elegance of petals, celebrating both the resilience and fragility of nature.
Ong has exhibited internationally in major cities such as Paris, Dubai, New York, and Brussels, showcasing her work at prestigious galleries and art fairs, including Art Basel and Frieze. Currently, her latest collection is on display at Almine Rech gallery in Brussels, where her interpretations of floral forms have solidified her reputation as a leading figure in contemporary abstraction.
Through her art, Ong invites viewers to explore the poetic interplay between strength and delicacy, creating visual experiences that are as dynamic as they are contemplative. With her global reach and ever-evolving practice, Sylvia Ong continues to push the boundaries of abstraction, earning her a prominent place in the international art scene.
Jason Ho: Geometry and Architecture in Harmony
Born in 1993 in the London, British-Chinese artist Jason Ho merges his architectural expertise with a love for geometric abstraction. Now based in Hong Kong, his colorful paintings, often featuring intricate patterns inspired by the forms of birds in flight, have captivated audiences worldwide.
Among his numerous accolades, Ho received the prestigious 2023 Hari Art Prize by the Hari Harilela Group and the 2019 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Journal Eye Line Award. Earlier in his career, he was honored with the Bartlett School of Architecture Medal and the Bartlett Fitzroy Robinson Drawing Prize, cementing his reputation as a rising star in both art and architecture.
In addition to his artistic success, Ho contributed to Underground Cities: New Frontiers in Urban Living (2020), further showcasing his innovative vision. His award-winning works have been exhibited internationally, with highlights in London, Paris, Dubai, and Hong Kong. This February, his highly anticipated solo show at Villazan Gallery promises to further solidify his position as an innovative force in the art world.
Amanda Ba: Titans of Desire and Urban Dystopia
Born in 1998 in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Hefei, China, Amanda Ba creates monumental paintings that confront themes of desire, urbanization, and the human condition. Currently living and working in New York City, Amanda studied Visual Arts and Art History at Columbia University in New York and the Slade School of Fine Art in London, developing a practice that merges bold symbolism with profound philosophical inquiry.
Ba’s work has garnered significant attention, with notable inclusions in Wonder Women, curated by Kathy Huang, at Jeffrey Deitch gallery in New York and Los Angeles, and 100 Years, a landmark exhibition organized by Jeffrey Deitch gallery and Gagosian gallery in Miami’s Design District, both in 2022. Her upcoming 2024 solo exhibition, Developing Desire, at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, features nude, titan-like women towering over dystopian cityscapes. These commanding figures critique rapid urban development and materialism while exploring Jacques Lacan’s theories of desire, weaving psychological depth into her striking visuals.
Amanda Ba’s dynamic narratives and larger than life works reflect a unique voice in contemporary art, blending personal history, urban critique, and intellectual exploration. Her ability to provoke conversation through her vivid, symbolic imagery has firmly established her as one of the most compelling emerging artists of her generation.
Eliene Boerma: Abstract Visions of Nature’s Movement
Dutch artist Eliene Boerma captures the fluidity and rhythm of the ocean in her ethereal abstract paintings. Born in 1999 in Culemborg, Netherlands, Boerma now lives and works in Rotterdam, where she channels the chaos and beauty of water into her sweeping brushstrokes and richly layered textures. Her works evoke the ever-changing essence of nature, transforming its movements into mesmerizing abstract forms that invite deep reflection.
Boerma’s talent has earned her significant recognition in the art world. In 2022, she won the prestigious Dooyewaard Stipend, an award honoring promising young artists, and was nominated for the Buning Brongers Prize, one of the Netherlands' most important art prizes. Most recently, in 2024, she was nominated for the Royal Award for Modern Painting, solidifying her reputation as a rising star in contemporary abstraction.
Her recent exhibition at Villazan Gallery showcased her ability to translate nature’s dynamic energy into works of profound emotional resonance. Boerma’s paintings not only capture the movement of water but also its symbolism, exploring themes of impermanence, resilience, and transformation.
Eliene Boerma’s art continues to push the boundaries of abstraction, making her one of the most exciting young voices in contemporary art today.
The Future of Contemporary Art
These five artists are redefining the landscape of contemporary art through their innovative techniques, thought-provoking themes, and distinctive voices. From Vanessa Raw’s exploration of surreal femininity and empowerment to Amanda Ba’s towering critiques of urbanization and materialism, their works challenge viewers to see the world through fresh perspectives. Jason Ho’s harmonious fusion of geometry and architecture, Sylvia Ong’s vibrant abstractions inspired by nature, and Eliene Boerma’s dynamic interpretations of the ocean’s movement further showcase the diversity and richness of today’s art world.
Their creations have graced some of the most prestigious galleries, including Jeffrey Deitch, Almine Rech, and Villazan, as well as major art fairs like Art Basel and Frieze. Institutions such as the Rubell Museum in Miami have also recognized their talent, providing platforms that elevate their work to a global audience. Each exhibition, whether in a gallery or an esteemed institution, underscores their impact on contemporary art and their ability to resonate with diverse audiences worldwide.
As these artists continue to evolve, their work not only inspires but also pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. With their fresh perspectives and innovative approaches, Vanessa Raw, Amanda Ba, Jason Ho, Sylvia Ong, and Eliene Boerma are undoubtedly shaping the future of art and remain talents to watch closely as they carve their place in art history.