Rediscovering Neo-Expressionism

I want to take you on a journey back to the late 20th century, a time when the art world witnessed a powerful renaissance of emotional intensity and personal expression in art. The driving force behind this movement? Neo-Expressionism, an artistic movement that emerged in the late 1970s and 1980s, boldly breaking free from the minimalist trends dominating the era.

At the heart of Neo-Expressionism were a handful of visionaries who left an indelible mark on the art history of expressionism. Jean-Michel Basquiat, for example, once a graffiti artist, seamlessly transitioned into the realm of painting, infusing his works with a raw energy mirroring the bustling streets of New York City (I love his work and will write more about him in a future post).

'Glenn' by Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1984.

German artist Anselm Kiefer, also a key Neo-Expressionist figure, explored history, mythology, and the human condition through monumental and emotionally charged pieces. I'm less a fan of his work, because of its more sombre colors and themes, but good is just good. And there's the Julian Schnabel, an artist renowned for his fearless approach to Neo-Expressionism, pushed the boundaries of traditional art forms with innovative materials and techniques.

'Hope' by Julian Schnabel, 1982.