Abstract art is the broad genre of work that moves away from depicting the visible world in a literal way. Rather than recognisable figures or landscapes, abstract artists use colour, shape, line, texture and gesture to communicate ideas, emotions and atmospheres. The viewer is invited to respond to what they see and feel, rather than to identify what is shown.
Although it can appear modern, abstract art has roots stretching back over a century. Today it remains one of the most popular and varied of contemporary genres, with each artist developing their own visual language.
A brief history of abstract art
The shift towards abstraction began in earnest in the early twentieth century, as artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian and Kazimir Malevich began stripping away representation in pursuit of pure form and feeling. Kandinsky is often credited with producing the first truly non-representational works around 1910, treating his canvases like visual music, compositions of line and colour intended to move the viewer directly.
From there, abstract art branched into many distinct movements: the geometric purity of De Stijl, the expressive energy of Abstract Expressionism in post-war America, the meditative restraint of Colour Field painting, and the disciplined repetition of Minimalism. Each has left a clear imprint on the contemporary abstract work being made today.
Types of abstract art
Abstract work is rarely just one thing. Most contemporary pieces sit somewhere along a spectrum between full representation and complete non-representation:
- Geometric abstraction – built from precise lines, grids and hard-edged shapes.
- Lyrical or gestural abstraction – emphasising movement, brushwork and spontaneity.
- Colour Field – large planes of saturated colour that envelop the viewer.
- Abstracted figuration – recognisable forms simplified or distorted until they verge on pure shape.
Looking at and collecting abstract art
Many people feel uncertain in front of an abstract painting because there is no obvious subject to anchor them. A useful approach is to set aside the question of what the work depicts and focus instead on how it makes you feel and where your eye is drawn. Notice the relationships between colours, the rhythm of marks, the balance of the composition and the surface quality of the paint.
At Byard Art, we represent a number of artists working in abstract and abstracted styles, with pieces available across a range of sizes and price points to suit modern interiors.
