The phenomenon of anxiety is experienced as an intense emotional state characterized by apprehension and unease in anticipation of potential adverse events. This study aims to examine how anxiety manifests in contemporary visual art, both at individual and societal levels. The research focuses on selected artists—Francis Bacon, Jenny Saville, Yue Minjun, and Neş’e Erdok—whose works reflect the interplay between personal traumatic experiences and the socio-historical context of their time. Data were collected through visual content analysis of the selected artworks, complemented by a comprehensive literature review. The analysis addressed formal elements such as figure deformation, color usage, composition, expressive techniques, and socio-political references, while findings were compared with national and international studies to ensure contextual accuracy. The results indicate that anxiety is made visible in the artworks through distorted figures, color contrasts, and symbolic references, highlighting both individual vulnerability and collective tensions. Contemporary painting thus serves as a conduit for translating complex emotional experiences into a universal visual language. In conclusion, the phenomenon of anxiety in contemporary art transcends mere aesthetic representation, emerging as a powerful medium that bridges personal existential fragility and broader social realities, offering viewers an immersive insight into both individual and communal emotional landscapes.

Anxiety, contemporary painting art, psychology, artist, alienation.