Exploring Abstract Art: Contemporary Paintings and Other Media
Abstract art is a century old, and is still an ever-evolving genre that pushes the boundaries of expression, thought, and feeling. Contemporary paintings and art in abstract form, a pivotal force in the modern art world, transcends traditional representation and delves into the realms of emotion, color, and form. In this blog, I will highlight some key characteristics of contemporary abstract art, realizing that there are more yet to be uncovered.
Characteristics of Contemporary Paintings + Artwork
Abstracted contemporary paintings and other media are defined by its bold use of color, innovative techniques, and the emphasis on personal expression. Unlike traditional art that strives to depict reality, contemporary abstraction often abandons recognizable subjects in favor of conveying emotions, moods, and conceptual ideas. This genre is characterized by:
1. Non-Representational Forms: Unlike traditional art that seeks to replicate the physical world, contemporary abstract artwork focuses on shapes, lines, and colors independent of visual references. Artists who create contemporary abstract artwork - in whatever media - create works that engage the viewer’s imagination and emotional response rather than depict recognizable subjects.
2. Living Artists. One of the key characteristics of contemporary abstract art versus modern abstract art is that the former is made by living artists today.(1) Today’s contemporary abstract artists are multi-faceted, and the breadth of variation within this discipline is impressive.
3. Innovative Use of Materials: Contemporary abstract artists frequently experiment with various media and techniques - from digital art to mixed media - pushing the boundaries of what can be considered art and how viewers interact with it. For example, unlike ‘traditional art’ that perpetually stays on display, video art is meant to be experienced rather than purchased.(2)
4. Emotional and Conceptual Focus: Contemporary abstract art is deeply personal and introspective. Artists use their work to convey emotions, moods, and concepts. It seeks to gain a different response from each viewer, and therein lies the beauty and fascination of abstract art.
5. Expressive Color Palette: To communicate such feelings and reactions, artists utilize vibrant and contrasting hues; thus, creating a visual language that speaks directly to the audience's emotions. Indeed, color plays a crucial role in contemporary abstraction. Katharina Grosse, for example, uses vivid color play to create her large-scale installations.(3)
Installation view Katharina Grosse: Sieben Stunden, Acht Stimmen, Drei Bäume, Museum Wiesbaden, Germany. © Katharina Grosse and VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, Germany 2018. Photo: Nic Tenwiggenhorn. https://gagosian.com/artists/katharina-grosse/
6. Signs and Symbols. Painters and other artists of contemporary abstraction may use their own language, signs, or symbols that resemble alpha-numeric characters. American artist Jonathan Lasker uses squiggles and markings to make symbols on his paintings.(4) My own work heavily uses language of my own making that harks back to old languages and documents, as seen in the photo below. Here is another example.
Jonathan Lasker, It Starts Here, 1983. https://www.thecollector.com/contemporary-abstract-art-how-can-i-recognize-it/. © Jonathan Lasker
Alexander Morris. Of Ocean and Sky No. 23. © Alexander Morris
7. Minimalism. Minimalist geometry emerged in the development of contemporary abstract art. It was characterized by simplicity and objects in art - eliminating figurative elements; instead, depicting reality in geometric forms.(5)
Importance of Contemporary Paintings+Art Today
In today's fast-paced and visually saturated society, contemporary paintings and other media offer a necessary counterbalance. It provides a space for introspection, emotional exploration, and a break from the literal interpretations of the world around us. The importance of contemporary abstract art lies in its ability to:
Emotional Resonance: Contemporary abstraction allows viewers to connect on a deeper emotional level. Without the constraints of literal representation, viewers are free to interpret and find personal meaning in the art, as I covered in a previous blog post.
Catalyst for Innovation: The experimental nature of contemporary abstraction encourages innovation across all artistic disciplines. This spirit of exploration and boundary-pushing has a significant impact on contemporary painting and other forms of abstract media.
Challenging Norms: Contemporary abstraction challenges traditional notions of art and reality. By inviting viewers to see beyond the surface, it encourages new ways of thinking and understanding the world.
Contemporary abstraction in paintings and other media is a dynamic part of the art world, continually evolving and inspiring and stretching both artists and audiences alike. Its emphasis on emotional expression, innovation, and breaking traditional boundaries ensures that it will continue to shape the future of contemporary art as a whole.
References:
(1) The J. Paul Getty Museum. https://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/classroom_resources/curricula/contemporary_art/background1.html#:~:text=Strictly%20speaking%2C%20the%20term%20%22contemporary,%2C%20technologically%20advancing%2C%20and%20multifaceted. Accessed 1 June 2024.
(2) Ibid.
(3) Lesso, Rosie. "What is Abstract Art? Let’s Find Out!" TheCollector.com, December 17, 2021, https://www.thecollector.com/what-is-abstract-art-lets-find-out/. Accessed 9 June 2024.
(4) Lesso, Rosie. "Contemporary Abstract Art: How Can I Recognize it?" TheCollector.com, March 27, 2023, https://www.thecollector.com/contemporary-abstract-art-how-can-i-recognize-it/. Accessed 31 May 2024.
(5) Ibid.
Elia, Christina. "What Is Minimalism? A Review Of The Visual Art Style" TheCollector.com, August 29, 2020, https://www.thecollector.com/what-is-minimalism-art/. Accessed 6 June 2024.
