Contemporary artists using colour, texture and shape

Mindy Shapero - Sculpture http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/328780090_6d6a7c0ae3.jpg?v=0
Franz West - Sculpture
http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2004/07/30/arts/30west.l.jpg
Jim Lambie - Installation
http://www.nationalgalleries.org/media_collection/6/GMA%204420.jpg

Comparing and Contrasting Exercise

Incorporating contemporary art into the curriculum can be a very stimulating exercise without having to divert away from topics or artists which you are already exploring.

If your topic was portraiture and you were looking at the works of Picasso, you could compare and contrast his paintings to the works of a contemporary artist which will encourage debate and discussion. An example of a contemporary artist whose work you could use for this exercise is Julian Opie. Pick a selection of portraits by Picasso and Opie, present them in a slideshow and give the class the opportunity to look, compare and discuss their opinions.

If your topic was landscape and you are looking at the work of Van Gogh. An example of a contemporary artist whose work would compare well against Van Gogh's is Olafur Eliasson and 'The Weather Project'.
You can find contemporary artists by searching the collections and exhibitions on galleries websites, for example; Grundy Art Gallery, Tate, IKON Gallery, Baltic Gallery, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and Spike Island to name just a few.