The years since 1989 have brought about a complete liberation of what art can be, who creates it, and where it can be found, accompanied by a re-evaluation of art's appropriate place in society and the monetary value that should be attributed to it. In this new book in the World of Art series, Kelly Grovier explores the dynamic developments in artistic practice worldwide since 1989, seeking out the artists who have undertaken to shape a new visual vocabulary and whose work reflects these turbulent years. The ten chapters of the book examine the core themes in contemporary art, from portraiture in the age of facial transplants and facial recognition software to political activist action, science, and religion. The artists discussed include Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, Damien Hirst, George Condo, Marlene Dumas, Sean Scully, Cindy Sherman, Banksy, Ai Weiwei, Antony Gormley, Christo and Jean-Claude, Jenny Holzer, Chuck Close, and Cornelia Parker. The final chapter, a timeline, tracks the evolution of artistic practice during this period by carefully examining a key artwork from each year.