My Love for Abstract Expressionism

My love for abstract expressionism stems primarily from its ability to create emotion in a way that is pure, direct, and individual; but there are so many other reasons to truly appreciate abstract expressionism, and as an introduction to our collections at Galerie Stein, I gladly share them with you here.

Abstract Expressionism was a Revolution in Freedom and Experimentation

Abstract Expressionism emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century and revolutionized the art world. With its spontaneous, non-representational style, Abstract Expressionism challenged and defied traditional artistic norms and ushered in a new era of artistic freedom and experimentation.

Abstract Expressionism grew out of the turbulent years of the 1930s and 1940s between the Great Depression and World War II. This political and social upheaval deeply affected artists, and their work often reflected a sense of existential angst, emotional turmoil, and the need for a new form of artistic expression—a form that could express raw emotion and inner experiences.

The Surrealists

As they experimented, Abstract Expressionist painters found inspiration in the techniques of Surrealists from the 20s and 30s like Salvador Dalí, and especially Joan Miró, who experimented with automatic drawing and spontaneous, subconscious creativity.

Combined with psychological and philosophical ideas about existentialism and exploring the unconscious, Surrealism played an important role is shaping the new form of artistic expression that would revolutionize the art world and become known as Abstract Expressionism.

Over our next several blog posts I will continue to focus on these luminaries and founding members of the early Abstract Expressionist movement, while at the same writing about some of the contemporary artists I currently admire. 

In the meanwhile, I invite you to spend some time viewing the very talented artists and collections we currently have featured at our virtual gallery at GalerieStein.com  

Pete Stein
Founder, Galerie Stein
Montreal

Galerie Stein will be presenting several contemporary Abstract Expressionist artists both virtually at GalerieStein.com and in our gallery in Montreal in 2024.

Contact: Pete Stein at peter@GalerieStein.com