What is abstract art? A blog post by Amanda Fowler
All the Fun of the Playground
Many people don’t ‘get’ abstract art , so What is abstract Art?
Abstract art is an exciting visual language unlike any other. It takes away the need for traditional representation of the real world and instead allows the artist to employ the use of colour, form, and texture to communicate emotions, ideas, and philosophies. That’s what makes this genre so unique and timeless and also exciting for me as an artist.
Abstract paintings are often defined as non representational, in that they don’t attempt to represent the real world directly. Instead, they represent emotions and feelings, through the skillful use of shapes, colours, lines and patterns that create something visually appealing whilst still employing traditional principles of design, colour harmony and values, as in light and dark, or contrast. While traditional art typically tries to capture a scene, a figure, or a landscape, abstract art moves away from such representation, embracing the freedom of expression and imagination whilst still being guided by the same principles.
“Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.”
The power of abstract art lies in it’s ambiguity. It allows the viewer to interpret the work in their own way, engaging their imagination and emotions. A painting might evoke a sense of chaos or tranquillity, joy or gloom without relying on real life subject matter.
While abstract art might not tell a specific story or depict a clear scene, it still evokes emotions through its materials and methods. Artists can play with elements like line, shape, colour and texture to create a certain atmosphere or emotional response. For instance, an artist might use a jagged, energetic vertical or diagonal line to suggest energy, agitation or turmoil, while soft, curving or horizontal lines might evoke calmness or serenity, as would a traditional landscape with a horizon line.
Colour plays an especially important role in abstract art, as it conveys mood and influences how the viewer emotionally engages with the piece. Each artist will have their own preferred colour schemes that they use in all of their work , which is part of their own signature style. Additionally, some artists like to use different techniques to produce visual or physical texture, depth and history. The use of thick, impasto paint, scratching or scraping into thick paint or adding collage elements can add a tactile dimension to the artwork, building layers and adding depth, allowing viewers to connect with it, not only visually but also through a sense of physicality.
Abstract art allows each person to bring their own feelings and interpretations into the experience, and that might be different for the artist and the viewer. You might feel exhilaration from an abstract painting's vibrant colours, while someone else might sense sadness or longing in the same piece. This personal connection is part of what makes abstract art so compelling for me. It doesn’t tell you how to feel but invites you to form your own relationship with the work. For many, this kind of open-ended interpretation can be a refreshing break from the more literal or narrative-driven art, for others it might appear non sensical, that’s up to you!
One of the most exciting aspects of abstract art, for the artist especially, is its ability to evoke emotions that words often cannot, personally I find it so much easier and enjoyable, even cathartic, to express my feelings through my work rather than trying so say it or write it down. Some people keep diaries or journals, I’ve never done that and find it a real chore but to paint, that is my diary, so much easier and fun and liberating!
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