In order to become successful in the art market nowadays, not only does an artist need to have talent and the necessary technical skills, but he also needs to understand how the Internet is changing the way art is consumed. In an online portfolio, an artist can present his work to a much larger audience than the one in galleries and museums. More than that, without a captivating portfolio, it is almost impossible to stand out from the competition.
Apart from representing your art, a visually appealing portfolio will result in further interest for your work. However, it will attract critics as well, both of your art and you as an artist. That’s why it is very important to see how prominent artists presented their work on the web and find inspiration for your online portfolio.
There are numerous amazing portfolios to get inspiration from, but we gathered 20 that stood out the most to help you present yourself in the best light.
1. Blu
Although his identity remains a secret, Blu is an artist that doesn’t require introduction. He is a renowned street artist who left his imprint all over the world. He mostly expresses himself through large scale murals that embody the spirit and the architecture of the city where they are painted. Signature style and motifs of his murals are humanoid figures that often convey a strong political message. By combining powerful imagery and stop motion animations, he also creates brilliant videos that he shares with his audience for free. Despite being sought-after by gallery owners and collectors, he refuses to do commercial work and stays very vocal against commercial art.
This artist leaves his distinctive mark on everything he does. The same goes for his website. His unique visual identity perfectly translates to his webpage design. Blu’s online portfolio is creative and vibrant and reflects his work. His website gives his audience the perfect balance of fun and innovative design that creates a great setting for his work.
2. Space Invader
Space Invader is a well-known street artist or as some people might put it – a modern day crusader. He derives his inspiration from the 90s video game of the same name. He is most famous for his ceramic pixel creatures that he puts up all over the major cities. This way he creates a global quest where people search for his art among urban landscapes.
“Rubikcubism” is another project that made this artist famous. Here he used Rubic’s Cube patterns to create complex portraits and images. From pop icons to recreating famous painting, Space Invader really did it all.
His web presentation is as vibrant as his art. You can easily locate his work using the map on his website. This map will show you that his Space Invader creature is slowly occupying the world (it even reached the bottom of the ocean). Besides the map, you can also see his work and learn a little bit more about the artist himself. The whole website design exhibits his signature style – bright colors and pixelated images, which means that if you’re an 80s kid, you will love it.
3. Os Gemeos
Os Gemeos is a street art duo from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo are identical twins and creative partners who decorated many walls in numerous cites. They started out painting graffiti on the streets of Sao Paulo during the late 80s and quickly became recognized and admired. Their early work was influenced by American hip-hop and they gradually started incorporating surreal elements from their dreams and themes from Brazilian folklore. Nowadays, they are famous for their distinctive large scale murals that feature variations of a yellow-skinned character. This character is a recurring element in their masterful work, and what is fascinating is that the figure first appeared in their dreams.
All of their beautiful work can be seen on their website. Os Gemeos online portfolio is clean-cut and organized in such a way that their colorful work is put in the focus of attention. Their website design is easy on the eyes and navigation is very intuitive. You can filter images based on various criteria or just scroll down to enjoy their full body of work.
4. Jeff Koons
Jeffrey “Jeff” Koons is one of the most successful and most debated artists in the post war era. It is hard to classify his work, but his style is most often described as Neo-Pop or Post-Pop. Love him or hate him, one thing is certain – Jeff Koons has already left his mark on modern culture, and there’s still time for him to do more incredible or controversial work. He is famous for taking banal objects from everyday life and transforming them into art installations. Over the years he has become the main topic of many heated arguments between art critics. Some say his work is mundane and blame him for bringing kitsch into modern art. On the other hand, there are those critics that say his work is genius and praise him for successfully bringing the mass culture to the art world. Either way, he held the world record for the most expensive work by a living artist sold at an auction.
Surprisingly, his webpage has minimalistic design and is very neat. In addition, the page is very user friendly and you can effortlessly browse through his portfolio and see details about his artwork.
5. Gerhard Richter
Gerhard Richter is a German painter with a prolific career behind him. He began his work in the early 60s and since then he has enriched the art world with myriads of paintings that expand through different techniques and movements. Since the beginning of his career till this day, his work has alternated between photorealistic and abstract paintings. Richter’s photorealistic paintings are famous for the blurring he applied in order to express the thought that artists can never fully reproduce the subject in its original form and that there is always something lost in transition from model to canvas. Because of this effect, those paintings give away a sense of melancholy and gloom. On the other hand, his abstract work is usually done in bright and vibrant colors. Brush strokes and paint layering are purposely visible, and he is both praised and criticized for this viewpoint.
Gerhard Richter is an artist that has really demonstrated his skills through different art forms. That said, it’s clear why his online portfolio needs to be well organized. When it comes to design, his website is really pristine and clean so that his extensive body of work can be in focus. The layout of the website lets you explore different portions of his art through organized sections, which allows you to get a unique perspective on the artist’s portfolio as a whole.
6. Peter Doig
This low-key and humble artist is one of the few truly excellent representational painters of today. His most recognizable work are exotic landscapes and Canada’s frozen scenery from his childhood. A recurring element on his paintings is a floating canoe that perfectly captures moments of tranquillity that the artist wants to convey. Although he derives his inspiration from photographs, his work is often abstract and contains elements of magical realism. He is a critically acclaimed artist who is praised for his genuine creativity, which is a rare quality for an artist in the 21st century.
His webpage offers a refreshing and creative way of displaying artwork. Right away, on the home page, you can see his most prominent work in a header slider. This way his paintings become the focal point of his website and you are instantly mesmerized by their beauty. Of course, there are other information about the artist himself, his exhibitions and awards, but if you just want to enjoy his amazing work, you can remove all those additional features by clicking on a button in the top right corner.
7. Banksy
While his identity still remains a mystery, even after all these years, Banksy transcended being a graffiti devotee and became a multidisciplinary artist and a fierce critic of Western society. He came a long way from his humble Bristol beginnings to worldwide notoriety, but his unique sense of irony remains intact. His recognizable stencils and graffiti didn’t gain popularity because of his style, but, rather, thanks to the powerful message those pieces carried. From the beginning of his career he’s been a nuisance to authorities, while art critics still can’t reach a consensus when it comes to his work. The indisputable thing about Banksy is his loud and clear message. He “comments” on every controversial topic and he’s always anti-establishment and anti-war. Banksy also criticizes racism and turning a blind eye to injustice – not exactly popular topics in modern society. Besides graffiti, he directed a successful documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop” that premiered at Sundance film festival in 2010. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award, which is pretty ironic considering his fight against the rich and powerful, and Hollywood being one of the richest industries in the world.
Banksy doesn’t have Facebook nor Twitter, and his website is very minimalistic. You can see a curated slide show of his work, which is divided into two categories – outdoor and indoor work. This way the focus is only on his best work.
8. Damien Hirst
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this artist, and some might say that he has a knack for stirring up trouble and media attention. Nevertheless, his impact on contemporary art can’t be denied. He became famous during the 90s as the most promising member of the Young British Artists collective. Hirst is a conceptual artist most famous for his scandalous installations. The most prominent theme in Hirst’s work is death, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that he gained fame with his controversial exhibition where he submerged dead animals in tanks full of formaldehyde. This and similar installations really divided both the public’s and critics’ opinion. Along with frequent lawsuits that follow him around, he really is the ‘enfant terrible’ of modern art movement.
His webpage design is minimalistic because his artist portfolio is full of rich and shocking imagery that really doesn’t need anything else to distract the viewer’s eye. Moreover, you can read the latest news about the artist and his new endeavours or you can dig through his extensive work. Whether you condemn him or support his work, one thing is certain – Damien Hirst will not leave you indifferent.
9. Gabriele Beveridge
Hong-Kong-born but now a London-based artist, Gabriele is still a rising star. Her signature work includes installations and sculptures that combine old magazine photos and a variety of objects that are in juxtaposition with the photos. She combines photos of smiling models and crude objects made of wood, marble or sand, and in this way creates contrast and the feeling of displacement.
Her online artist portfolio is minimalistic and only focused on her work, without any unnecessary distractions or additional information that could divert the viewers’ attention.
10. Aakash Nihalani
Aakash Nihalani is a US-based street artist whose specific techniques and bright-colored tapes are what sets him apart from others. His work ranges from simple cube illusions to complex patterns. The repetition of geometric objects, such as rectangles and squares, leads to the creation of 3D images which will leave you breathless. The tape technique isn’t the only thing that makes Aakash’s work so special; the interaction between the conventional shapes has the same effect because it produces very unconventional art, both indoors and outdoors.
His portfolio is simple, clean and very well organized, which is why the viewer’s focus remains on the art itself. The white background and divided sections of selected work make the website very easy to navigate through and all the needed information regarding the exhibitions and contact can be easily found in the Info part.
11. Tore Rinkveld
Tore Rinkveld, better known as EVOL, is a German street artist who transforms walls or electric boxes into miniature life-like tower blocks. Not only will his artistic skills make it hard for you to tell if the photos you’re looking at are actually real buildings, but they will also make you look at your surroundings from a completely different perspective. EVOL draws the viewer’s attention to everyday details that are usually taken for granted, for example shadow casts and balcony lights. The essential key to making EVOL’s art so fascinating is the perfect camouflage.
EVOL’s portfolio with a white background and Pinterest-like organized work has similarities with building windows. Since all the work is arranged in different sections, viewers can easily find pieces of art they are interested in: studio works, installations, interventions or editions. The information regarding contact, publications or CV can be noticed quickly as well, along with the Facebook and Instagram buttons that will lead you to EVOL’s official pages.
12. Alexandre Farto
Alexandre Farto, aka Vhils, is a young street artist who gained special recognition after his work was displayed right next to the famous Banksy at the Cans Festival in London 2008. The techniques he employs set him apart from others: the use of explosives, etching and burning the surface of the walls. This way he adds a character that has a much deeper meaning, and the effect wouldn’t be the same if he used just paint. Not only has this unique approach been recognized around the world, but it has also been hailed as one of the most compelling.
The first thing you notice on Vhil’s online portfolio is its clear appearance and well-organized structure that make the website’s appearance both professional and very easy to use. The News section is regularly updated, which makes the website much more than a portfolio!
13. Jean René
Jean René, whose pseudonym JR is well known around the world, is an artist that developed a unique art technique that combines photography and graffiti art. This technique is the reason he nicknamed himself „photograffeur“. By fly-posting large photographic images in the streets, which he calls „the largest art gallery in the world“, JR creates specific work that combines art and action but also deals with freedom and limits.
Jean’s online portfolio is an excellent example of a creative, yet very well-organized website. The background is one of his photos and all his work is divided and organized in different sections, by project. The Get Involved section allows the readers to find information regarding volunteering and becoming a part of JR’s team, and to give suggestions.
14. Ed Ruscha
Even though in the 1960s Ed Ruscha was just a pioneer in the Los Angeles scene, he has become one of the most iconic American artists nowadays. After moving from California to Los Angeles, his intention was to become a commercial painter, but inspired by many influencers at that time, his work gained more and more „Pop” sensibility. Ruscha’s art ranges from paintings and drawings, to photographs, books and films. He is known for using unusual materials such as real blood, and avoiding pop culture clichés.
You can see the pop culture influence even in his portfolio, which is very clear and as such directs the viewer’s attention to Ruscha’s masterpieces. All of his work, along with the missing pieces, is divided into separate sections which makes the navigation through the site very fast. The News section is updated with all information regarding Ruscha’s current exhibitions and the ‘about’ part features a brief biography.
15. Richard Prince
Richard Prince is a well-known photographer and painter whose work has always been influenced by the process of appropriation. Prince’s works are those kinds of masterpieces which make the viewers think twice about the meaning of the original piece, since they always deliver a much deeper message. His recent series, New Portraits, represents a so-called „new method of artistic appropriation” based on the social media phenomenon, more specific – Instagram. By using provocative selfies in his Instagram-inspired series, Prince contemplates the way people present themselves to others in the “social media world”.
Prince’s website is a perfect example of a well-organized, yet creative portfolio. Divided groups of different work, from paintings to sculptures, match the bright-colored background perfectly. The Writings section is full of interesting and emotional chapters that are very unusual to find in other art portfolios. Even the contact information section is very creative, actually all the contact and social media pages are grouped in the Birdtalk part along with the interesting summary of Prince’s thoughts.
16. Robert Indiana
Robert Indiana, who calls himself “painter of American landscape,” is an American Pop artist most famous for his iconic “LOVE” paintings and sculptures. He finds inspiration in commercial signs, such as the “Yield” traffic sign and the Phillips 66 gas station logo, re-arranges them and turns into remarkable pieces of art. The above-mentioned LOVE sign has even been translated into a postage stamp in 1973
Robert’s portfolio represents an organized portfolio with many sections and time lines, which is why the navigation is smooth. In the Life section the viewers can read about some interesting facts from his life and career, accompanied by his childhood photos. If you wish to contact Robert or someone from his team, make sure you read the Terms & Conditions since a lot of frequently asked questions have already been briefly summarized.
17. Glenn Brown
Glenn Brown, a British artist, started his career with reproductions of famous artists such as Salvador Dali, Rembrandt van Rijn and Frank Auerbach, but he changed the image’s colors, object’s position and size. Brown’s work is unique because he uses thin brushstrokes to create an illusion of flat surfaces. His artwork has been displayed in major museums such as Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and Centre Pompidou in Paris.
As for the website, Brown’s portfolio shows both creativity and simplicity. Depending on the work you are searching for – paintings, drawings, sculptures or special projects, you can easily find them in the Artwork section. All other information regarding exhibitions, Brown himself, or videos about his work, are well organized in a few sections at the top of the page.
18. Antony Gormley
Antony Gormley, a British artist born in London, is widely respected for his installations, sculptures and public artwork which represent a relation of the human body and space. His outdoor, large installations, such as Another Place and Angel of the North, are well known among artists around the world. Gormley’s work was rewarded plenty of times and he was even made an Officer of the British Empire and a knight in the New Year’s Honours list in 2014.
The online portfolio of this talented artist shows simplicity and perfect systematization of all his work in Shows, Projects, Sculptures and in a few other sections. At the bottom of the images you can find buttons for more information or links associated with the work.
19. Tracey Emin
Tracey Emin is a notable member of the Young British Artists whose art includes not only paintings, drawings and sculptures, but also film, embroidery and unusual installations. All of her work reveals very personal and intimate details, presented in a narcissistic way. Her provocative artistic expression resulted in a nomination for the Turner Prize in 1999. Emin’s installation “My Bed” gained a lot of attention even though she didn’t win the prize.
Although Erin’s work is quite controversial, her website is very simple and clean. The viewers can easily navigate through sections while searching for Erin’s artwork, biography or news regarding exhibitions. The „filter by year” part is another excellent way to separate all of the work and make it easy to find. The contrast between colors on the white background makes the website very appealing to the viewers, especially those who spend a lot of time on their computers.
20. Kurt Wenner
Kurt Wenner is an American artist most respected for his pavement illustrations. He creates magnificent 3D illusions, sculptures, large-scale oil paintings, ceramic murals and shares his knowledge by teaching talented students the secrets behind his masterpieces. Wenner’s 3D illusions are among the most photographed outdoor art, especially because a lot of them faded or disappeared.
Wenner’s online portfolio also reflects his creativity and his attention to detail. The website is rich in interesting content, since there is a regularly updated Blog section. In the Video and Speaking & Workshops part, you can find a collection of video segments, documentaries and many other useful information about this great artist and his work. The online gallery is very similar to a real-life one, which is another reason why we chose kurtwenner.com to be a great inspiration when creating an online portfolio.
Now that you have decided to keep your portfolio simple and clean or to show your creativity even through the website design, you can get to work! We created a responsive template customized specifically for great artists like you, ready to show their masterpieces to the world! Drag and drop, craft and enjoy!
This article was first published on ucraft.com and you can see it here: https://www.ucraft.com/blog/20-brilliant-artist-portfolio-designs