20 Artists Who Were Ahead of Their Time

These artists ignited a trend or initiated a chain of thought that provoked many artists after them to make works of art. Talk about inspirational.

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Complex Original

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What is it that defines an artist as being ahead of their time? It’s a difficult quality to pin down, and arguments could be made for so many deserving artists. Perhaps they ignite a trend or initiate a chain of thought that provokes many artists after them to make works of art. Sometimes their unique explorations of various materials or platforms provide the spark. Sometimes their work is done in solitude, without fame or glamor, and others rely upon the excitement of drama. What does remain consistent about the list of artists assembled here is that they were driven by a framework or vision for how their artwork should contribute and occupy the culture they participated in. Here are 20 Artists Who Were Ahead of Their Time.

Gordon Matta-Clark (1943-1978)

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Lee Bontecou (1931-Present)

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Yves Klein (1928-1962)

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Jenny Holzer (1950-Present)

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Claire Zeisler (1903-1991)

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Joseph Beuys (1921-1986)

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Isa Genzken (1948-Present)

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Paul Thek (1933-1988)

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Nancy Holt (1938-2014)

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Robert Smithson (1938-1973)

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Christo (1935-Present) and Jeanne-Claude (1935-2009)

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Ana Mendieta (1948-1985)

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Walter De Maria (1935-2013)

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Ruth Asawa (1926-2013)

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Félix González-Torres (1957-1996)

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Nam June Paik (1932-2006)

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Yayoi Kusama (1929-Present)

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Dan Flavin (1933-1996)

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Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002)

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Bas Jan Ader (1942-1975)

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