Contemporary art in magazines

Independent publishing, in any industry, has significantly risen and specifically art publishing is becoming more diverse than ever. It offers artists real platforms and opportunities for visibility, creative exchange and more. We have evolved from rigorously curated journals to visually driven experimental titles, and consequently magazines are shaping how contemporary art is documented, discussed and imagined. 

Below we have carefully curated a list that brings together some of the most compelling publications in the arts, selected are magazines that actively participate in the art world rather than simply reporting on it. If you are looking for places to submit your work, discover new artists, or simple deepen your understanding of current artistic conversations then these titles are essential for you.

ArtReview

ArtReview is a magazine from London, UK with editor-in-chief Mark Rappolt and is published nine times a year. It is a leading magazine dedicated to contemporary art and specifically how it interacts with wider culture. It aims to serve both a specialist audience but also a broader art-interested general audience, covering criticism, features, reviews, interviews and artist-project. Over the years the magazine has expanded geographically, with ArtReview Asia. Last but not least, they have an annual “Power 100” issue listing influential figures of the art-world. 

Spike Art Magazine 

Spike was founded back in 2004 by artist Rita Vitorelli in Vienna, and later established a second editorial base in Berlin. The magazine is published quarterly and focuses on contemporary art aiming to critically address the intersection of art theory and practice. Each of their issues is built around a theme and features artist projects, feature essays, critical writing, and visual contributions by artists, curators and writers. Lastly, their editorial stance is independent, provocative and designed to engage with current debates in the art world and not simply report exhibitions but analyzing the broader cultural and theoretical implications they come with.

Artforum

Artforum is an international magazine, published from New York, and established way back in 1962 specializing in contemporary art. The magazine is well-known in the art world for its square-format cover that stands out and the high-profile presentation. It’s content covers a wide range of contemporary visual culture including reviews of exhibitions and art books, critical essays, artist-projects, architecture and pop-culture. Over it’s history and many issues, it has addressed major themes from late modernism and minimal/conceptual art to global contemporary art, digital media and politics.

FUKT

FUKT is an annual-publication based in Berlin and is dedicated to contemporary drawing perceived as an autonomous artistic medium. Every single one of their issues is devoted to a specific theme or concept, for example “the nature issue”. The editorial of the magazine is to explore how drawing has the ability to interact with other domains encouraging experiments in form, media crossover, and conceptual visual practice. It features international artists, a variety of curated essays and a high-production design, making it both a critical journal and a visual object in it’s own right. 

Emergent

Emergent is a contemporary art and photography magazine following a highly curated, visually driven approach to showcase emerging but also established artists. It was founded in 2014 in Spain and focuses mainly on experimental image-making, critical essays and themed visual narratives with the aim of exploring the boundaries between fine art, photography, design and visual culture. Each issue revolves around a broad conceptual topic and brings together portfolios, interviews and theoretical texts that reflect on the shifting landscape of contemporary visual practice.

Phase Zero

Phase Zaro is a contemporary art and photography magazine founded recently, in 2023 by Maya Valencia and Sydney Maggin. The magazine explores experimental visual culture through themed issues combining image-making, research and conceptual writing. It is based in Europe and the magazine is being published periodically, focusing on artists who work across media like photography, installations, performance and speculative deisgn, using each single one and all issues as a curated space for visual essays and more. 

SONDUKE

Sonduke is an independent magazine and digital platform based in Kuwait. It focuses on experimental art, sound and culture from the Gulf SWANA region and beyond. The magazine was founded by Hamad Al Mujeem and Malak Al Suwaihel in 2021. It serves as a space for visual art, experimental music, archives and cultural dialogue.

#PRontheGO