Abstract Art…are we being Duped?

Embracing the Unseen: A Fresh Look at Abstract Art

In the world of art, abstract painting often mirrors the tale of “The Emperor's New Clothes.” This story, where fear of seeming ignorant prevents people from speaking their truths, parallels how some viewers approach abstract art. The fear of not “getting it” can sometimes overshadow genuine personal experience and opinion, leading to a hesitancy to engage critically with the art form. However, as the child in the tale points out the emperor's lack of attire, we must remember the value of sincere and authentic responses to art.

The Beauty and Challenge of Abstract Art

Abstract art challenges us to see beyond the literal, inviting an emotional and psychological exploration. Artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian broke away from figurative art to express more spiritual or emotional landscapes, using colors, shapes, and forms to evoke feelings and thoughts. Yet, for every viewer moved by the rhythm and balance in a Kandinsky, there might be another who, like Ginger Cook's candid dismissal of Georgia O'Keeffe's “Sky Above Clouds IV” as “just dumb,” finds specific abstract works inaccessible or unengaging.

Subjectivity in Art Appreciation

This divergence in opinion highlights the subjective nature of art appreciation. What resonates deeply with one individual might leave another cold. Abstract art, with its departure from recognizable forms, often amplifies these subjective experiences, making it a prime target for the “Emperor's New Clothes” syndrome. People might be reluctant to express indifference or dislike for a piece out of fear that their lack of appreciation reflects a lack of sophistication or understanding.

The Importance of Honest Dialogue

However, as the child's honesty in the tale reveals the truth, honest dialogue about art can enrich our understanding and appreciation. Criticism opens a pathway to deeper engagement with art when constructive and insightful. It challenges artists and viewers alike to think more critically about what we create, view, and value in the art world. 

Encouraging Critical Engagement

Encouraging viewers to express their genuine reactions to abstract art can demystify it, making it more accessible and engaging. It's crucial to foster an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their perspectives, whether they're moved, puzzled, or even unimpressed by a piece of art. This approach validates personal experience and promotes a more inclusive understanding of what art can be.

Let's talk about the rules of art for a moment or two. Design rules in art, including abstract paintings, are essential for creating visually appealing and balanced artworks. Even when depicting subjects like boats abstractly, these principles guide artists to ensure their creations are engaging and harmonious. Here are some fundamental design rules that apply to both painting design and abstract art:

1. Balance: This involves arranging elements so that no one part of the work overpowers another. In abstract art, balance can be achieved by distributing colors, shapes, and textures, ensuring the painting feels stable and composed.

2. Contrast: Contrast creates visual interest and draws the viewer's eye into the painting. You can use contrast in color, shape, texture, or size. For example, a bright, warm color next to a cool, dark color will stand out more.

3. Unity: Unity is about creating a sense of harmony and wholeness in the artwork. Despite the abstract nature, all parts of the painting should feel connected and part of a larger whole. The artist can achieve this through repeating colors, shapes, or textures.

4. Variety: While unity brings the elements together, variety adds interest by using different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Variety could mean incorporating varied brush strokes or contrasting colors to create depth and interest in an abstract boat painting.

5. Movement: Movement guides the viewer's eye through the artwork. In abstract paintings, this can be achieved through the direction of shapes, lines, and colors, leading the eye in a path around the canvas.

6. Rhythm: Rhythm creates a visual tempo in the painting. You can create a sense of movement and flow through repeating patterns, colors, or shapes, much like the rhythm in music.

7. Focus or Emphasis: Even in abstract art, having a focal point or area of emphasis allows the viewer to have a place to rest their eyes. The focal point can be an area of contrast, a more prominent shape among smaller ones, or a more detailed part of the painting.

8. Proportion and Scale: The relationship between the sizes of different elements in a painting can significantly affect its overall impact. Playing with proportions can create a sense of depth or highlight specific parts of the artwork.

As the artist applies these design rules, even an abstract concept like a boat can be transformed into a captivating piece of art that engages the viewer both emotionally and visually. Remember, the beauty of abstract art lies in the freedom to interpret these rules creatively, allowing for endless possibilities in your paintings.

Let's examine famous paintings by renowned artists and see how they apply the design rules I mentioned. Other artworks can provide both inspiration and insight into how these principles work in practice.

1. “Composition VIII” by Wassily Kandinsky: Kandinsky's work is a fantastic example of balance and rhythm in abstract art. This painting uses geometric shapes and vibrant colors to create a balanced yet dynamic composition. The repetition of forms and colors throughout the painting establishes a rhythm, guiding the viewer's eye across the canvas.

2. “Broadway Boogie Woogie” by Piet Mondrian: Mondrian's piece demonstrates unity and movement. The painting consists of a grid of vertical and horizontal lines filled with primary colors. Despite its abstraction, there's a sense of bustling movement reminiscent of New York's streets. The consistent use of simple shapes and colors brings unity to the piece, while the placement of colored squares creates movement.

3. “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí: While not abstract, Dalí's surreal landscape brilliantly applies contrast and emphasis. The soft, melting clocks against a stark, barren landscape create a striking visual contrast. The central clock draped over the tree branch serves as the focal point, drawing the viewer's eye and emphasizing the theme of fleeting time.

4. “Convergence” by Jackson Pollock: Pollock's action paintings are perfect for discussing variety and movement. “Convergence” is a riot of color, line, and texture, with dripped and splattered paint creating a sense of chaotic movement. Despite the apparent randomness, there's a balance to the chaos, showcasing how variety in technique and application can result in a cohesive piece.

5. “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso: Picasso's monumental work demonstrates scale, proportion, and focus. While depicting the horrors of war in a cubist style, the painting uses scale and proportion to highlight certain elements, like the grieving woman with a dead child, drawing attention to the tragedy. The overall composition focuses on the chaos and suffering of war, with each section of the painting contributing to this narrative.

6. “Sky Above Clouds IV” by Georgia O'Keeffe: O'Keeffe's painting applies balance, unity, and rhythm through repetition and scale. The vast sky filled with cloud patterns creates a rhythmic movement, while the scale of the painting envelops the viewer in its serene, harmonious atmosphere. The balance between the sky and the cloud formations provides a tranquil unity.

All of these examples show how abstract and semi-abstract art can embody fundamental design principles, even when the subjects are depicted in non-traditional ways. By studying these works, artists can learn to apply these rules in their abstract creations, including paintings of boats or any other subject they choose to explore.

Let's take a look a the painting that we will be painting on YouTube, Monday, February 12, 2024.

This abstract painting of the Sailboat embodies characteristics of Abstract Expressionism, mainly through its dynamic brushstrokes and bold use of color. However, given the depicted scene's geometric shapes and fragmented nature, it also has elements reminiscent of Cubism.

The specific style is a form of Lyrical Abstraction, a subgenre of Abstract Expressionism that emphasizes the emotional and expressive qualities of color and line. It's called ‘lyrical' because, like a lyric in a song, it aims to evoke emotion and is often more personal and fluid.

Lyrical Abstraction often includes sweeping brushstrokes and a strong sense of movement, which can be seen in how the paint is applied in the sailboat image. The painting's approach to depicting the subject through shapes and colors that evoke a sense of motion, rhythm, and harmony aligns well with this classification.

While there isn't a strict category for every abstract painting, Lyrical Abstraction is a fitting description for the artwork in question, given each artist's individuality and unique approach.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while abstract art can sometimes feel like navigating the emperor's parade—where the pressure to see what others claim to see is high—remembering the value of individual experience and perspective is vital. Like Ginger Cook's candid perspective on O'Keeffe's work, it's essential to recognize that not all art will speak to all people in the same way—and that's okay. By fostering honest and open dialogue, we can appreciate the vast, colorful spectrum of abstract art in a meaningful, inclusive, and deeply personal way.

Ginger Cook
Professional Acrylic Artist and Educator of Acrylic Painting