Artnet News recaps the defining trends of 2025 in the art world, highlighting five key stories. These include the resurgence of elaborate frames in contemporary art ("Bordercore"), the rise of "red-chip art" favored by a new breed of flashy collectors, a "para-pastoral" movement that twists idyllic rural scenes into unsettling visions, and the growing popularity of small-scale paintings driven by intimacy and market shifts.
This roundup matters because it captures a moment of cultural flux, where traditional hierarchies of taste and value are being challenged. The trends—from frame-centric works to crypto-fueled collecting—signal a broader democratization and fragmentation of the art market, while also reflecting societal anxieties about class, environment, and authenticity. For collectors, artists, and institutions, understanding these shifts is essential to navigating an increasingly unpredictable landscape.