Five Emerging Artists to Watch This July 2026
This month, the art world shines a spotlight on five distinguished artists whose innovative contributions are capturing significant attention. These creators are making a notable impact through a combination of fresh gallery representations, captivating exhibitions, successful auctions, and engaging works. From exploring the complexities of consumer culture to reimagining natural landscapes and depicting intimate human experiences, each artist offers a unique perspective that enriches the contemporary art scene. Their diverse practices span various mediums, including sculpture, painting, and photography, reflecting a vibrant and evolving artistic landscape.
Kayode Ojo, an American artist based in New York City, is renowned for his compelling sculptures and installations that brilliantly deconstruct notions of social status and consumerism. His works often feature glamorous yet inexpensive items, such as costume jewelry and faux fur, which he transforms into high-value art pieces. Currently, Ojo's "Every Good Boy Does Fine" exhibition at M+M Gallery in Hong Kong showcases his signature assemblages, featuring elements like silver music stands adorned with wigs, sequined dresses, and toy handcuffs, evoking a sense of alluring, albeit kitschy, glamour. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, Ojo has had solo exhibitions at prestigious galleries in Paris, London, and Berlin, solidifying his reputation in the art community.
From Los Angeles, Iris Yehong Mao, originally from Shanghai, brings to life vivid floral paintings that blend the influences of Impressionist masters like Monet and Van Gogh with a distinctly psychedelic palette. Her art is currently featured in the "Inner Landscapes" show at LATITUDE Gallery in New York, where her oil and acrylic creations offer a beautifully disorienting experience. Mao's compositions, such as Fallen Stars in the Rain Forest (2026), evoke the serene yet dynamic movement of underwater plant life. Having graduated from esteemed art institutions in Shanghai, Mao has participated in several group exhibitions, including "Unbridled: Horsin' Around" and "Earth to Sky," showcasing her growing presence in the contemporary art scene.
Nabilah Nordin, a Singaporean-Australian artist based in Los Angeles, is celebrated for her whimsical abstract sculptures that appear to defy gravity, resembling vibrant, three-dimensional notebook scribbles. Her intuitive creations, characterized by rough, drippy, and porous textures, often incorporate unconventional materials like deflated balloons and epoxy-coated bread. Nordin’s solo exhibition, "Deadweight," is currently on display at island in New York, following her acclaimed 2025 exhibition "Scripts" at Neon Parc in Australia. Her unique approach to sculpture continues to captivate audiences with its playful yet profound exploration of form and material.
Ghanaian photographer and filmmaker Carlos Idun-Tawiah, based in Accra, is gaining international recognition for his cinematic, retro-inspired photographs that capture the essence of African life. Represented by Alta, Idun-Tawiah has quickly become a prominent figure in contemporary African photography. His poignant series, "Hero, Father, Friend," is a touching tribute to his late father, creating a fictional archive of Black fatherhood that celebrates tender moments. Other series, such as "Sunday Special" and "Boys Will Always Be Boys," delve into his childhood memories and challenge traditional masculine narratives with depictions of innocent boyhood. His recent solo exhibition, "I'll be Here to Remind You," and his current artist-in-residency at Studio Voltaire in South London further highlight his rising career.
London-based artist Sophie Smorczewski, known for her luminous and delicate paintings, draws inspiration from gardens, landscapes, and intimate human moments. Her works often possess an ephemeral quality, inviting viewers to contemplate transient beauty and fleeting memories. Smorczewski frequently paints on paper, enhancing her pieces with natural elements like flowers or shells, and also uses irregular oak wood as a canvas for her oil paintings. Her artistic process involves grinding organic materials to create pigments that evolve over time, symbolizing cycles of growth and decay. A graduate of Manchester School of Art and Slade School of Fine Art, Smorczewski has earned accolades such as the Manchester Academy of Fine Art Prize. Her work is currently featured in the duo show "Soft Evidence" at Chilli Gallery, building on her success in previous group exhibitions at Soho Revue and Arusha Gallery.
The burgeoning talents featured this month—Kayode Ojo, Iris Yehong Mao, Nabilah Nordin, Carlos Idun-Tawiah, and Sophie Smorczewski—each contribute a distinct artistic voice, pushing boundaries in their respective fields. Their recent achievements, from solo exhibitions to notable gallery features, underscore their growing influence and the dynamic nature of contemporary art. These artists collectively showcase the diverse narratives and innovative techniques that are shaping the global art landscape, promising exciting developments in the years to come.