Modernism v. Postmodernism

Modernism is term that encompasses a variety of different movements that share four fundamental beliefs. Most modernists primary focus in regards to creating art was experimenting with form, embracing new materials and methods of production, desiring to bring art to the general population, and understanding and examining universal truths.

Paul Cezanne is known by many as the father of modernism. His works were mostly concerned with concern with formal qualities (space, color, composition, etc.), with the overall objective of making the painting "work."



For postmodernists, the primary focus is on context and content as well as form. They also take on the idea that there are multiple truths that are constantly changing. Postmodernism tends to be complex, full of energy and new ideas. Postmodernists often use a variety of techniques to convey their ideas. Appropriation, Re-contextualization, layering, hybridity, and word/image integration all play important roles in the creation and effectiveness of postmodernism.

Kara Walker is a postmodernist whose works primarily deal with identity and gender issues involving African-American females. Walker uses images from historical textbooks to show how white people depicted African American slaves during Antebellum South.