Five major artists to follow on Instagram

[I]nstagram is perhaps best known for its wealth of emerging artistic talent. Young artists are able to cultivate significant followings without a pre-existing framework of industry contacts, sidestepping traditional barriers to entry in a notoriously challenging industry. There’s a suspicion, too, that some major artists view the platform with skepticism, justifiably noting that a two-dimensional view of an artwork on a six-inch screen on a crowded subway train is unlikely to do justice to the atmospheric potential of their work.

Other artists, though, are able to use Instagram to not only showcase their work, but to give an insight into their processes, politics, personal life and research. With Cindy Sherman making her account last week and revealing a 600-piece quasi-exhibit, we took a look at five major artists who are all active on Instagram.

Linder Sterling – @LINDERSTERLING

Linder Sterling’s collage contemplations on sexuality, desire, gender and capitalism come with a radical feminist edge. Ever since creating her iconic photomontage for the Buzzcock’s punk record Orgasm Addicts, Sterling’s combinations of lifestyle magazine imagery, pornography and photographs have pointedly (and humorously) challenged archetypal portrayals of women. Follow her on Instagram for priceless found images and snapshots of her own work.

Takashi Murakami – @TAKASHIPOM

For an insight into the creation of epic murals as well as “Just woke up” selfies and skateboards, follow Takashi Murakami. With a history of collaborations with Pharrell, Supreme, Louis Vuitton and  Kanye West, don’t be surprised to see a famous name popping up from time to time (oh hey Chance the Rapper!) alongside the references to Murakami’s animé inspirations.

Wolfgang Tillmans – @WOLFGANG_TILLMANS

German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans announced himself on the UK arts scene in the early 90s with his candid, intimate portraits of London’s LGBT community. Diversifying and expanding his oeuvre ever since, Tillmans has produced beautiful abstract series, “grids” comprised of multiple photographs of the same subject (most famously the decommissioned aircraft Concorde) and even aerial landscapes. Latterly, he has launched a music career and became one of the leading voices during the campaign for the  UK to remain in the European, releasing a range of posters and images that were shared far and wide in support of the remain campaign. Follow for activism, fine art photography, music and the occasional glimpse into the Tillman’s archive.

Cindy Sherman – @_CINDYSHERMAN_

For ultimate re-invention inspiration follow Cindy Sherman. Last week the artist  made her profile public, revealing an intense, 600-piece exhibit that emphatically carries her work into the digital space. Mingling amongst family portraits, inspirations and a video of some turkeys, Sherman’s warped self-portraits are all the more disarming and an incisive comment on Instagram culture. The images are a much tighter crop than Sherman’s familiar works, suggesting use of the phone’s front-facing camera to take a genuine selfie.

Maurizio Cattelan – @TOILETPAPERMAGAZINEOFFICIAL

Maurizio Cattelan’s subversive artwork is the ultimate surrealist escape. Via his infamous ToiletPaper Magazine, the Italian artist (alongside co-founder Pierpaolo Ferrari) delivers a wry, colourful and often sexualised take on the world around us. Nothing is quite as it seems and no subject is off-limits, not even the Pope.