The 50 Most Iconic Artworks of the Past Five Years
Pieces that have defined our culture in the contemporary moment.

Image via Complex Original

In November 2012 alone, the contemporary art market made $1.068 billion, proving that it won't be crashing anytime soon. Prices and skeptics aside, there has been an overwhelming abundance of work that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. It may be too soon to call work from the past 10 or even 5 years iconic, but we aren't hesitating to do so. From work by RETNA to Maurizio Cattelan, Shepard Fairey, and Takashi Murakami, enjoy The 50 Most Iconic Artworks of the Past Five Years and let us know if you agree.
50. Francis Alys, "Tornado," 2000 - 2010

49. Tino Sehgal, "This Progress," 2010

48. Superflex, "Bankrupt Banks" banners at Peter Blum Gallery, 2008

47. Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher, "Learning to Love You More," 2002 - 2009

46. Glenn Ligon, "Ruckenfigur," 2009

45. Christopher Wool and Richard Hell, "PSYCHOPTS," 2008

44. Jaume Plensa, "Dream," 2009

43. Mike Kelley, "Mobile Homestead," 2011

42. El Anatsui, "Many Moons," 2009

41. Meleko Mokgosi, "Pax Kaffraria: Sikhuselo Sembumbulu," 2012

40. Taryn Simon, "Contraband," 2009

39. Iwan Baan "The City and the Storm," 2012

38. Swoon, "Swimming Cities of the Switchback Sea," 2008

37. Tom Sachs, "Space Project: Mars," 2012

36. Olafur Eliasson, "New York City Waterfalls," 2008

35. Jonah Freeman & Justin Lowe, "Black Acid Co-op," 2009

34. Shirin Neshat, "Women Without Men," 2010

33. Portraits of Hope, the Taxi and Limousine Commission and the Design Trust for Public Space, "Garden in Transit," New York City, 2007

32. William Powhida, "How the New Museum Committed Suicide with Banality," 2009

31. Jon Rafman, "9 Eyes of Google Street View," 2009

30. Retna, "Houston Bowery Mural," 2012

29. Maurizio Cattelan, "All," 2011

28. Wade Guyton "Untitled," 2008

27. Damien Hirst, "The Complete Spot Paintings 1986 - 2011," 2011

26. Michael Heizer, "Levitated Mass," 1969 - 2012

25. Patrick Martinez "Less Drake More Tupac"

24. Ryan McGinley, "Ann (Slingshot)," 2007

23. Catherine Opie, "Football Landscape #1," 2007

22. Cory Arcangel, "Photoshop CS" series, 2008-present

21. Marc Quinn, "Siren," 2008

20. Maurizio Cattelan, "L.O.V.E.," 2010

19. Francesco Vezzoli, "24-hour Museum," 2012

18. Chris Burden, "Urban Light," 2008

17. Ai Weiwei "Grass Mud Horse Style," 2012

16. David Hockney, "iPhone Drawing," 2009

15. Takashi Murakami, Installation at Chateau de Versailles, 2010

14. Dan Colen & Dash Snow, "Nest," 2007

13. Christian Marclay, "The Clock," 2010

12. Pussy Riot, Punk Rock Prayer, 2012

11. Ryan Trecartin, "Any Ever," 2009 - 2010

10. Rob Pruitt, "The Andy Monument," 2011

9. Gilbert & George, "London Pictures," 2011

8. Damien Hirst, "For the Love of God," 2007

7. The Phantom Street Artist a.k.a. Joey Krebs, Leo Limon, Todd Moyer & others, Protest Performance at MOCA Geffen Contemporary, 2011

6. Barbara Kruger, "Untitled (Human History)," 2012

5. Cecilia Gimenez, Restored version of Elias Garcia Martinez's "Ecce Homo," 2012

4. JR, "Women Are Heroes," 2008-2009

3. Shepard Fairey, "HOPE," 2008

2. Ai Weiwei, "Sunflower Seeds," 2010

1. Marina Abramovic, "The Artist Is Present," 2010
