Making Sense of Abstract Art

“My kid can make that!” “It’s just some scribbles.” “Why does it cost that much?” “Who would want that hanging in their home?” “I just don’t get it!” “It makes me uncomfortable.” “All my life, I have been looking at it and still don't understand abstract art!”

Does this sound familiar? Probably. Perhaps you have even said something comparable when you have viewed a piece of abstract art. These comments are common in museums and art galleries that house abstract works of art. 

Many do not 'get' abstract art because it does not depict something that has a physical or concrete existence. Abstraction is complex because it is non-representational art. It may be challenging to understand and not be considered attractive. However, there is a rich diversity within abstract art, with more than one type and not one all-encompassing definition or explanation. This diversity invites us to explore and appreciate the many facets of abstract art. 

This article examines some of the most formative and influential abstract art movements. By looking at these periods in art, we learn the historical context and see what has informed and inspired abstract artists for over one hundred years. Continue reading to learn some approaches artists take when creating abstract art and some “do’s and don'ts” that can help guide you when experiencing and investing in abstract art. 

In the Beginning

Consider cave paintings, Egyptian relics, tribal African art, and ancient Greek ceramics. These are all forms of abstract art that have been around since the dawn of time. The use of reduced imagery, patterns, and overall mark-making in these art forms is a testament to the enduring nature of abstract art. Just as music, dance, and other art forms communicate and express emotion, so does abstract art, connecting us to our artistic roots. 

Important Abstract Art Movements 

Although abstraction has always existed, the early twentieth century marked the period when it gained momentum. Let’s examine some of the most important movements in art history. 

Fauvism (1905-10)

Fauvism was one of the first avant-garde art movements that emerged in France at the turn of the century. French artists Henri Matisse and André Derain introduced fauvism through artwork full of unnaturalistic color, simplified forms, and vivid brushwork. Post-impressionist artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Georges Seurat were influential for the fauvists. Their style of painting inspired Matisse and other fauvists to reject traditional three-dimensional representation and instead seek to produce a new picture space defined with flat planes of color. 

“An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythms, by effort that will prepare the mastery which will later enable him to express himself in his own language.” ― Henri Matisse

Expressionism (1905-20)

Expressionism aimed to convey an emotional experience rather than depict physical reality. Expressionist artists sought to portray how life felt rather than how it looked. This expression was meant to challenge representational art and question the authenticity of this type of art if it was a two-dimensional likeness to real life. Notable Expressionist artists include Wassily Kandinsky, Edvard Munch, and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. The styles of expressionist art vary but often include bold and experimental colors, flattened forms, and exaggerated angles. Expressionist artists sought inspiration from tribal art and folk traditions. 

“… lend your ears to music, open your eyes to painting, and … stop thinking! Just ask yourself whether the work has enabled you to “walk about” into a hitherto unknown world. If the answer is yes, what more do you want?” ― Wassily Kandinsky

“It seems as though the goal of my work has always been to dissolve myself completely into the sensations of the surroundings in order to then integrate this into a coherent painterly form.”― Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Cubism (1907-08)

Perhaps one of the most influential visual art movements, Cubism revolutionized how reality was represented in art. Founding artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque created artwork that emphasized the two-dimensionality of art. Different views of a subject were presented in the same picture, resulting in fragmented and abstract images. Objects and figures were reduced to distinct areas and shapes (planes) so the artist could depict various viewpoints of the subject in the same space. Cubism marked a new treatment of visual reality and paved the way for many subsequent abstract styles. 

“Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction." ― Pablo Picasso

“Art is made to disturb, science reassures.”― Georges Braque

Abstract Expressionism (1940s – 50s)

American painters Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning developed abstract expressionism in New York throughout the 1940s and 1950s. This movement, sometimes called The New York School or action painting, is characterized by bold, energetic, and gestural lines, often on large canvases. Artists of this period sought to capture controlled chaos. They worked towards creating a new form of artistic self-expression and renewed freedom in their works. 

“Energy and motion made visible – memories arrested in space.” ― Jackson Pollock

“I'm not an abstractionist. I'm not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I'm interested only in expressing basic human emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on.” ― Mark Rothko

Approaches to Abstract Art

Understanding some of the most important art movements in history helps us see numerous approaches to creating abstract art. Here are some approaches to art that one might explore:

1. Reduction and Simplification: Pairing back a concept to the simplest form. What details of a form are needed to communicate an idea? This concept can be expressed in the following way: bare and essential forms. 
2. Construction: Using formal art elements such as color, line, form, tone, and texture to create non-representational art. Artists rely on composition and formal elegance to achieve their goals. 
3. Spontaneity: Artists react naturally, intuitively, and perhaps emotionally to a concept, material, or composition. They allow randomness and chance to influence their work. 
4. Experimentation: Creatives utilize materials, processes, and ideas to guide their artistic practice. They let the materials guide them. Artists may bring attention to the materials and let chance play a part in their work.
5. Spiritually: Some artists create art to respond to something spiritual, otherworldly, and unseen. Perhaps the artwork is a form of unconscious expression, something improvisational or even meditative. Artists may seek to express their inner truth, something deep within. 

Do’s and Don'ts of Looking and Purchasing

Do spend time looking at and experiencing the work. Reflect on how you feel when exposed to a new piece of art. Does it elicit emotion? A memory? If you do or do not like it, ask yourself why. Just allow yourself to react to the work. 

Don’t insult the artist. No, a child did not create it, and it was not easy to make! We all know art is subjective, and not all will resonate with us. Instead of allowing frustration to creep in and, before completely writing off a piece of art, question the artist's intention in their creation. Think about why the artist would make such a piece. Consider the history of art and how it might have inspired the piece. 

Do read the title and wall text. Accompanying information can be valuable. Some titles are intentionally vague so the viewer can assign their own meaning to a piece of art. Other titles may be like clues for the viewer to gain insight into an artwork. Wall text such as a biography or artist statement may include valuable information about the artist and their inspiration for a work. 

Don’t get intimidated. You do not have to “get it” when you look at a work of art. If you do not easily understand the piece, do not let that bother you or make you feel like you do not comprehend what you are seeing. People often prefer to avoid abstract art because they cannot understand it. It may not be recognizable, and because of this, people can feel uneducated and insecure while looking. Remember, art does not necessarily have to have meaning, and you certainly do not have to like it. If an artwork evokes ANY emotion, it has done its job. 

Do observe the formal elements of the work. Abstract artists are trained artists. They can draw and paint like representational artists but choose not to. Their work still needs to be formally successful. The viewer can appreciate abstraction for technique and the use of color, line, value, composition, and texture. The work has visual strength from the correct use of these artistic elements. Good art will draw you in and keep you looking.

Don’t stress. Abstraction does not need to convey something. It does not need to make you feel anything. You do not need to ask all the questions. Just let it be. If it resonates with you, that is great. If not, don't worry. Let the mysterious feeling bring enjoyment. 

Do look as a child would. Ask yourself the questions you might ask a child looking at the artwork. For example: 

“If you were inside this painting, what would it feel like? What would it smell like?" 

"If the artist was in the room, what would you ask them?" 

"If this piece had sound effects, what would you hear?" 

“How would you describe this artwork to someone who could not see it?” 

Conclusion

As defined, the word abstract means "difficult to understand." There are many forms of abstract art and numerous approaches to assigning meaning to a piece of abstract art. Historical context, some guidance, and an open mind are all helpful when experiencing abstract art.