All paintings created from 1970 and onward are referred to as contemporary. It was at this time that art was divided into "modernist" and "postmodernist", and it became difficult to define the style in which the artist was working. It's also intrinsic for contemporary paintings to be socially orientated.

At the turn of the 70s of the 20th century, artists were in search of new themes, as well as means and techniques to express them. They've used the techniques that were actively employed in modernism as a stepping stone and looked for other, radically different methods. This led to the dematerialization of the subject as an object on display, and the emergence of "happenings" and performances.

The topics that arise in society actively influence contemporary art. Feminism, racial issues, the life of small ethnic groups and certain social groups are widely discussed.