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One of my favorite aspects of abstract art is its rebelliousness. What's so rebellious about abstract art? Let me count the ways...
Abstract art emerged in the early 20th century as a rebellious and groundbreaking shift away from the traditional (dare I say "boring"?) artistic aesthetic. Before the rise of abstract art, the standard of art was all about precise and realistic representation of the physical world. As modern thought evolved, however, artists began to challenge conventional aesthetics and explore new, non-representational forms of expression.
'The Ten Largest, No. 3, Youth Group IV' (part of whole painting) by Hilma af Klint, 1907.
Pioneers such as Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, Piet Mondrian, and Kazimir Malevich believed that color, shape, and composition could communicate emotions and ideas more powerfully than realistic imagery. Their works abandoned perspective, depth, and recognizable forms. Instead, they embraced abstraction to express deeper spiritual and intellectual concepts.
The emergence of abstract art sparked both fascination and criticism. Many traditionalists dismissed it as chaotic or meaningless. I still overhear similar criticisms in galleries today. As abstract art emerged, other art critics recognized its potential to redefine artistic boundaries. Then, movements like Cubism, Suprematism, and De Stijl pushed abstract art further. If anything, the abstract art movement and its many forms proved that creativity did not have to (should not?) imitate reality to be profound.
An example of Cubism: 'Mandolin and Guitar' by Pablo Picasso, 1924.
By challenging traditional aesthetics, abstract art rebelliously transformed creative expression. It invited viewers (you) to interpret meaning for themselves, making art a more personal and subjective experience than ever before. Today, abstract art continues to inspire artists and audiences, proving its lasting revolutionary impact on the art world.
Pete Stein
Founder, Galerie Stein
Montreal
Galerie Stein will be presenting more contemporary abstract expressionist artists in 2025, both virtually at GalerieStein.com and in our gallery. Contact: Pete Stein at peter@GalerieStein.com.
