This study explores the structure of contemporary artists' thinking by analyzing interview videos featuring 34 artists from the “Research and Development” theme of the Art21 archive. The analysis was conducted using five categories: starting points of inquiry, sources of knowledge and materials, modes of inquiry, ways of meaning-making, and perceptions of identity. In addition to verbal statements in the videos, audiovisual elements such as working scenes, material use, and spatial contexts were examined together to explore how contemporary artists’ thinking processes are formed through the relationships among language, action, media, and environment. The findings show that contemporary artistic practice typically begins with essential questions, develops through the incorporation of diverse forms of knowledge and experiences, and progresses through experimentation and collaboration. In addition, artists were found to perform and present their work, recognizing their role on multiple levels. These findings suggest that the thinking structures of contemporary artists can serve as important practical frameworks for designing inquiry-based learning experiences in art education, through which students formulate questions, explore materials, and construct meaning.