What is Abstract Art? Definition, Types, Characteristics and Objectives

"Everything starts from a dot" ­­­--- Wassily Kandinsky.

Free-flowing, borderless and unconventional, abstract art can broadly be defined as art that does not represent an accurate characterization of a visual reality but attempts to depict the same using a variety of visual cues such as shapes, lines, textures, colours, forms, and gestures. The visual effect created by this kind of art is highly non-representational and, in a certain way, distanced from the literal reality.

Abstract paintings of master artists and contemporaries of India, such as S.H Raza, F.N Souza, S. Harsha Vardhana, Ram Kumar, and Paresh Maity, are available in the Art Alive Gallery collection. 

What is Abstract Art?

The term Abstract art can be applied to non-representational art, which breaks the traditional and realistic art styles. Instead of telling a story of realistic and lifelike objects, it intends to stir emotions and offer intangible experiences.

Abstract art absolutely disrupted the art world by abandoning the realistic depiction of subject matter.

Abstract Art: Origin and Development

The concept of abstraction originated at the beginning of the 20th century. Art that does not denote any subject matter has existed over time and cultures. Yet, the renowned artist Wassily Kandinsky was the first modern artist to develop a non-representational artwork. In 1910, he created an abstract artwork which is considered the first abstract piece in the history of painting. The untitled work had the inscription “abstract watercolour” on the back. In 1912, Kandinsky published “Concerning the Spiritual in Art”, which became the foremost treatise on abstract art.

Hilma af Klint, a Swedish artist, was also making abstract compositions in 1906, even before Kandinsky, but wanted them to be kept out of the public eye for 20 years. Her paintings displayed a pathway towards a harmony between the material and the spiritual.

Many artists started exploring and introducing various types of abstract art in the early 20th century. Artists like Piet Mondrian and Jackson Pollock introduced multiple elements, including geometric, drip, or action painting.

After World War II, abstract art grew in popularity as it gave artists a way to express the horrors and anxieties of a post-war era.

Abstract Art: Characteristics

The significant characteristics of abstract art include the following:

• Non-representational – Abstract art does not portray realistic objects and scenes but uses lines, colour, and form to create a composition.

• Expressive –Abstract art often aims to convey emotions.

• Non-traditional – Forsaking traditional methods and conventions such as perspective and naturalism, abstract art includes materials and techniques which are unconventional.

• Emphasis on various elements - Artists mainly focused on colours, shapes, lines, textures, forms, and gestures.

• Intuitive – Instead of creating a work of art based on preconceived notions, abstract art follows a spontaneous style where works are often made intuitively.

• Objects are often indistinguishable.

• Abstract art became widespread as a genre opposite to figurative, realistic style.

• Abstract art sometimes signifies the spiritual realm.

Types of Abstract Art

Still rising and expanding, abstract art can be divided into several categories based on medium and technique. However, the most common types of abstract art are the following:

 

1)  Abstract Expressionism

The term can be applied to new types of abstract art developed by American painters like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and William de Kooning in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s. These abstract forms depict the emotions and ideas of the artist and are characterised by gestural brush strokes, mark-making, and spontaneity. The abstract expressionists were also inspired by surrealist ideologies, including art should come from the unconscious mind, as well as the automatism of Joan Miro.

Action painting also developed as part of the Abstract Expressionism movement. In this, works were often created by pouring, dripping, or splashing paint straight onto the canvas. Jackson Pollock and William de Kooning were the major artists who led the action painters. They used large brushes to create gestural marks. Pollock poured the paint on the canvas with his can or used a stick to make a trail.His abstract paintings, including Full Fathom Five, used dynamic colours and techniques as an exploration of the subconscious.

Mark Rothko also joined the abstract expressionists during the 1940s.  He wanted to take the viewer to a superior feeling and spiritual enlightenment through his works.

2) Colour – Field Painting

Colour Field Painting belongs to the vast umbrella of Abstract expressionism. It involved artists such as Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still, and Barnett Newman. These painters were largely inspired by religion and myth. They created simple compositions with large areas of colour, minimal details, and a lot of depth to produce a meditative response in the spectator. These paintings were produced in large canvases.

Around 1960, artists like Hellen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis began a purer form of colour field paintings, which excluded the emotional or mythical content that was present at the beginning of the movement.

3) Abstract Minimalism

This form of abstraction believes that art should not represent something else but must have its own reality. Minimalist artists removed self-expression from their artworks and focused on the medium and material without accentuating any meaning.

The concept and treatment remained the same for painting, sculpture, and drawing. Abstract minimalism rejected all kinds of figurative and ornamental elements from their work and highlighted two-dimensionalities to give the viewer a purely visual experience. Agnes Martin, Carl Andre, and Sol LeWitt were significant proponents of abstract minimalism.

 

4) Geometric Abstraction

Geometric abstraction is considered the use of geometric forms on a flat surface. This belongs to the vast umbrella of post-painterly abstraction and was inspired by cubism. Geometric abstraction was popularised by avant-garde artists in the early 20th century. This form of art does not conform to the guidelines of realism.

Since time immemorial, geometry has been a perpetual source of inspiration for artists. The geometric abstraction artists considered this a way to break free from traditional imitative painting and figurative style. For some, it was a means to manipulate the visual experience through optical illusions.

S. Harsha Vardhana, a prominent artist, focuses on geometrical abstract works consisting of symbols inspired by tribal motifs. His paintings are vividly coloured with overlapping triangles. Abstract paintings by S. Harsha Vardhana also belong to the Art Alive Gallery collection.

5) Neo - Plasticism

Neo-Plasticism derives from a Dutch word meaning “the new plastic art”. This artistic philosophy rejected the naturalistic representation of a formal vocabulary. The theory came to prominence when it was published by Piet Mondrian in the De Stijl (The Style) journals.

Neo-Plasticism was steered by the belief that art should be removed from several parts and centred on fundamental elements.

The visual vocabulary of Neo-Plasticism consists of straight lines, rectangular planes, and primary colours, and it was a response to the destruction caused by World War II. The movement intended to attain harmony and balance in day-to-day life and restore order in times of chaos.

Mondrian’s “Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow” demonstrates his mature Neo- Plastic style. He tried to portray the absolute reality and a steady relationship between opposing forces by using contrasting vertical and horizontal lines and reducing the colour palette to red, blue, and yellow.

6) Optical Abstraction

Optical Abstraction, or Op Art, is a type of abstract art developed during the mid-20th century that deals with optical illusion. This is formed through the methodical manipulation of shapes and colours and is done to a point where the human eye observes a real pulsation and movement.

Op Art is connected to the futurism movement because of its emphasis on dynamism. Bridget Riley, Victor Vasarely, and Richard Anuszkiewicz were the major proponents of Op Art. The Op artists used simple forms like parallel lines, concentric circles, and checkerboard patterns to create complicated optical spaces.

7) Lyrical Abstraction

The term lyrical abstraction refers to the art characterised by free and emotive personal compositions. These tendencies of lyrical abstraction can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century in the works of Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky related his works to musical compositions and produced expressive, subjective, and imaginative abstract paintings; in other words, lyrical.

After World War II, lyrical abstraction received widespread recognition because of its non-objective nature. Also, it was influenced the attempt of the existentialists to surpass the meaninglessness of life by seeking personal meaning.

Abstraction in Indian Art

Indian abstract art is considered an exploration of purity of line, colour and form by various artists during the 1950s. One of the major artists during this period was Vasudeo Gaitonde. His works were considered non-objective and engaged with Zen Buddhism and Chinese calligraphy. He wanted to attain the highest form of expression through light, colour, and texture. His canvases encompass a zen like meditative style.

Syed Haider Raza, a founder member of the PAG, experimented with abstraction from the early 70s. There are many artists who, from landscapes and figurative art, moved to abstraction following him. His Bindu, a circular form became a recurring appearance in his stunning abstract paintings.

Ram Kumar uses various textures and abstract strokes to depict landscapes with sharp topographical contours. His vast oeuvre is defined by a preoccupation with nature and the relationship between numerous life forms and objects.

Along with these masters, Krishna Reddy, J. Swaminathan, Jeram Patel, Shanti Dave, Ganesh Haloi, and V. Viswanathan also shifted to abstraction.

Abstract Art at Art Alive Gallery!

Exploring art of all kinds, Art Alive Gallery has a vast collection of abstract paintings and abstract artworks. Indian abstract masters like S.H. Raza also belong to our exemplary collection. Art Alive has two publications on Raza titled “Mandalas: S.H Raza” and “A life in Art: Raza” to honour the life and works of the master artist.

The Gallery hosts a vast collection of Indian abstract paintings by master artist Akkitham Narayanan, who chose geometrical abstraction as a medium of expression.

Indian contemporary abstract artist, S. Harsha Vardhana’s works are one of the major highlights at the gallery. Son of the modern master J. Swaminathan, his interest towards art grew over time. Being a self-taught artist, his canvases exude triangular structures painted within specially defined areas of colour.

The prolific Indian contemporary artist Paresh Maity’s artistic oeuvre encompasses traditional academic-style paintings. Yet, over the years, he began to shift towards abstraction. His exuberant paintings are a must for any collection.

Artist and printmaker Tara Sabharwal’s unique monoprint paintings, watercolours, ink drawings and paintings offer a journey into the vastness of abstraction. Mumbai-based artist Yashwant Deshmukh’s works are centred on the life of objects removed from their utilitarian purposes, and depiction of altered realities. Our emerging artists, such as Vipul Rathod and Chetan Mevada, are known for producing astonishing abstract paintings. 

Abstract art continues to push the limits of expression and stimulate, connect, and appeal to art lovers worldwide. Our gallery holds powerful abstract pieces with distinctive points of view. Whether it is a new collector or a seasoned collector, Art Alive Gallery hosts a vast range of Indian abstract paintings for everyone.