Promising painters to keep an eye on in 2024 according to art experts

The art of painting continually progresses as new artists emerge. We consulted several established figures in the art world—including curators, museum heads, and dedicated patrons—to identify up-and-coming painters they believe are well-positioned to make significant contributions to the medium in the coming years. These experts highlighted eight individuals on the verge of wider recognition who they think exemplify painting's evolution and portend future influence on the field.

Wanda Koop

The U.K. solo exhibition "Eclipse" was one of the highlights of the program at Frieze No.9 Cork Street, presented by Night Gallery in October. It brought together a new body of paintings encompassing Wanda Koop’s signature motifs and dreamlike landscapes. Wanda's style and spirit is can be seen not only through her artistic practice but also in her community work and social activism. 

Adelisa Selimbašić

One artist who captured the public’s attention lately is Adelisa Selimbašić, whose artwork was exhibited by Friedman Gallery. Her exploration of the way the body is perceived sparked curiosity and her paintings are beautiful and intriguing. She is an artist whose work many art experts look forward to seeing again.

Ken Nwadiogbu

A visionary artist who recently graduated with a master's in painting from the Royal College of Art has now a unique collaboration with GANT for a limited edition jacket and a significant role in the Netflix-commissioned exhibition for ‘Top Boy.’ Additionally, he is currently working on a new series of special projects to be commissioned next year. A series of installations and other promising works are believed by critics to redefine the boundaries of art as a practice. Ken’s work goes beyond and above norms and traditions, and his next projects for the near future will contribute to his legacy: after all, he’s already seen as an artist that goes beyond the limits of contemporary art.

George Rouy

A standout artist poised for 2024 is George Rouy, after his incredible show 'Body Suit' at Hannah Barry Gallery in Peckham. His paintings are both haunting and entirely captivating, encompassing the body in an energized sequence that feels immediate and visceral. His collaborative performance-installation with choreographer Sharon Eyal at the ICA London in December 2024 will be one to watch! 

Freya Douglas-Morris

Her lush landscapes seem to magically transport the viewer to other worlds—whether an imaginary seascape off the coast of Africa or a snowy mountain in the Swiss Alps. Freya’s special processes and her use of color make her works question the subject itself. Freya represents a new generation of female painters who are shaping the canon with their work. Her vision and artistic skills transport the viewer to vivid imaginary landscapes through her vibrant use of color and treatment of the canvas surface.

Jake Grewal

Grewal’s art works often focus on people - be it alone or in a couple - placed in landscapes well known to queer spaces. In his works, critics see a fiery desire for escapism and more intimacy in a depersonalized world where such feelings and authenticity are more and more rare. While his paintings feel filmic and otherworldly, it is in Grewal’s charcoal drawings where one sees his remarkable technical ability, a talent learned from studying the old masters. The artist’s way to connect with history and the collective past is a central theme of his solo show and can also be admired and better understood at the Fitzwilliam Museum. His paintings are placed alongside masterpieces by Georges Seurat, Edgar Degas, and Keith Vaughan.