Contemporary art can be baffling and beautiful, provocative and disturbing. This pioneering book presents a new look at the controversial period between 1945 and 2015, when art and its traditional forms were called into question. It focuses on the relationship between American and European art, and challenges previously held views about the origins of some of the most innovative ideas in art of this time. Major artists such as Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Louise Bourgeois, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, and Shiran Neshat are all discussed, as is the art world of the last fifty years. Important trends are also covered including Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptualism, Postmodernism, and Performance Art. This revised and updated second edition includes a new chapter exploring art since 2000 and how globalization has caused shifts in the art world, an updated Bibliography, and 16 new, colour illustrations.

"Beautifully produced with colour illustrations, this is essential reading for anyone who has been bemused or intrigued by contemporary art." - PD Smith, The Guardian

"Review from previous edition An invaluable guide to art of the second half of the twentieth century" - Sandy Nairne, former Director, National Portrait Gallery

"The intelligent and sophisticated synthesis of key debates makes this volume invaluable. This skilful re-integration of developments in the art of post-war Europe with that of America is impressive and controversial" - Patricia Bickers, Art Monthly