Art became increasingly pluralistic, embracing photography, video, and identity politics. Artists like Cindy Sherman and Damien Hirst used provocative imagery to explore gender, death, and the burgeoning global art market. Beyond the Canvas: Art as Social Critique
These movements stripped art of its decorative functions. Donald Judd and Sol LeWitt questioned the very nature of authorship and the "art object". After Modern Art 1945-2000 (Oxford History of Art)
Hopkins emphasizes that art during this period was rarely isolated from politics. The book tracks how major social shifts influenced the studio: After Modern Art 1945 2000 (Oxford History Of Art) Art became increasingly pluralistic