britart: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Artistic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “britart” mean?
A term for the contemporary British art movement that emerged in the late 1980s and 1990s, characterized by conceptual and often sensational works.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A term for the contemporary British art movement that emerged in the late 1980s and 1990s, characterized by conceptual and often sensational works.
Refers specifically to the Young British Artists (YBAs) and their associated galleries, dealers, and collectors. It often implies art that is self-consciously modern, commercially savvy, and frequently provocative in its use of materials and subject matter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a British term; rarely used in American English where 'Young British Artists' or 'YBAs' is more common.
Connotations
In the UK, it can carry associations of the 1990s cultural boom (Cool Britannia), the Saatchi Gallery, and the Turner Prize. In the US, it is a more niche, art-historical term.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK art journalism and criticism.
Grammar
How to Use “britart” in a Sentence
[Noun] is a classic example of Britart.The rise of [Proper Noun, e.g., Damien Hirst] defined Britart.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “britart” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Britart phenomenon changed London's cultural landscape.
- It was a defining Britart moment.
American English
- The Britart style was noted for its shock tactics.
- A major Britart exhibition is touring.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the art market context regarding the valuation and sale of works from this movement.
Academic
Used in art history and cultural studies to define a specific late-20th-century movement.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation outside of art-interested circles.
Technical
A specific art-historical classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “britart”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “britart”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “britart”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a britart' – incorrect; 'a piece of Britart' – correct).
- Capitalization error: 'britart' should be 'Britart'.
- Using it to refer to any British art from any period.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific movement, it is typically capitalised.
Not accurately. It is a historical term tied to a specific generation (the YBAs). You would use 'contemporary British artist' instead.
'YBAs' (Young British Artists) refers to the group of artists themselves. 'Britart' is the broader term encompassing the movement, its style, and its associated cultural phenomenon.
Yes, it achieved significant international fame and influence, particularly in the European and American art markets.
A term for the contemporary British art movement that emerged in the late 1980s and 1990s, characterized by conceptual and often sensational works.
Britart is usually formal, artistic, journalistic in register.
Britart: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪtɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪtɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BRITish ART = BRITART. It's the 'short, catchy name' for the explosive British art of the 1990s.
Conceptual Metaphor
ART IS A COMMODITY; ART IS A SENSATION.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Britart' specifically refer to?