Subjects: Narrative What do contemporary stories by artists have to do with me? Contemporary art is an extension and reflection of our lives. Contemporary artists are people who, like the rest of us, are confronting life and trying to make sense of it. Their work draws from profoundly personal, infinitely varied life experiences, reflecting the rich complexity of our modern lives. Contemporary art propels us toward a more intimate understanding of our multifaceted world, in all its compelling and challenging contradictions. Telling tales Bob Burdette Storytelling is probably the oldest artistic tradition. Narrative art has been used to communicate, to educate, and to pass down values in non-verbal ways from generation to generation. From images on the prehistoric cave walls to the complex mythological stories on Greek vases, artists have told stories that speak to us across ages and cultures. During the Renaissance, stories from the Bible or classical history were thought to be the only subjects truly worthy of great art. Dramas and stories from everyday life didn't appear in Western art until the 18th and 19th centuries, when artists began describing the human condition in intimate, familiar terms. A good story never grows old Aida Laleian With the rise of abstract art in the 20th century, artists began to question whether narrative art was still relevant to modern life — but art that tells stories never completely disappeared. Today, narratives are found in new art forms like video, installation and performance art. Art that tells stories continues to entertain, educate, enlighten, and move us. The images on this page are examples of narrative art from the NextMonet catalog. Click on an image to learn more about that individual artwork. David Maxim Davis & Davis Next: Abstract — How is abstract art different from what my kid can do?