Galerie Stein Magazine

The power of monochrome Black and white abstract art enhances the impact of contrasts and gradations. It relies on the interplay of form, texture, and composition rather than color,. As much as I love colorful abstract art, I am drawn to the powerful simplicity of black and white. Malevich's black and white abstract art Kazimir Malevich’s 'Black Square' (below) is a seminal example of the potential of black and white abstract art. The painting's stark simplicity reduces art to...

Abstract art has given rise to some of the most iconic pieces in modern art history. Because abstract art emphasizes non-representational forms, it allows artists to explore and express emotions, ideas, and the complexities of the human experience in ways unlike any other art form.Wassily Kandinsky is often hailed as the original abstract artist. Increasingly, however, I've noticed that art historians are turning that title over to a lesser known artist (unsurprisingly a woman)—Hilma af Klint. Greatly inspired by a spiritual movement in the...

Modern abstract art is a reflection of Western society's transformation through modernization. Modernization theory posits that societies evolve from traditional to modern states through industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancement. From the Industrial Revolution into the early 20th century, Western societies urbanized and shifted to industrial economies. The changes led to new social structures and cultural norms. And out of this transformation came modern abstract art, and later abstract expressionism. 'Tableau III,' by Piet Mondrian, 1914. Technological and Industrial Impact on Modern Abstract Art The rapid...

Modern abstract art, broadly defined, is a compelling and dynamic genre. What has always attracted me to modern abstract art is its transgressions of traditional boundaries and its ability to stir my emotions. I'm defining "modern abstract art" broadly to include a range of styles and artists from the early 20th century onward who reject realism in favor of more expressive and non-representational forms. Untitled, by Wassily Kandinsky, 1922. An early example of modern abstract art. The...

Mike O'Guinn California, US  Abstract expressionist Mike O’Guinn is based in central coastal California. Even though Mike’s relatively new to abstract expressionist painting (he began in 2021), his work conveys a maturity and confidence that usually takes years to develop. Perhaps that professionalism comes from already having an established career in law. Regardless, Mike's paintings are absolutely captivating. California-based abstract expressionist artist, Mike O'Guinn. His spontaneous process—"a series of quick choices made in the moment,” as he explains—captures the...

Sarah Trundle Charlottesville, VA, US  After two decades as a mental health therapist, abstract expressionist artist Sarah Trundle now focuses on her creative work. It’s Sarah’s use of bright colors and lively marks that pull me to her work. Her paintings express an alluring positive energy that invites the observer to engage. 'Detour Ahead,' by Charlottesville-based contemporary abstract expressionist artist Sarah Trundle. Sarah’s inventory of paintings is diverse. While such variety can sometimes throw me off, the...

Meighan Morrison Bridgeport, CT, US  A true creative, Meighan Morrison has studied art at various art institutions across the US and held a variety of creative careers, including a textile designer and children's book author and illustrator. She credits this diverse background with informing her gorgeous abstract expressionist paintings.  By contemporary abstract expressionist artist, Meighan Morrison. According to Meighan, the intersection of opposites, of binary elements, is the heart of her abstract expressionist paintings. This is evident in her work where, for...

I talk a lot about abstract art here, especially Abstract Expressionism, so I thought I'd get back to the basics with a definition of abstract art. So, what is abstract art? Well, simply put, it's a genre of visual art that emphasizes shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks over realistic depiction. Unlike representational art, which portrays recognizable objects or scenes, abstract art focuses on elements of art itself—such as line, shape, texture, and color—to convey emotions,...

Abstract line art is a form of artistic expression that uses lines, shapes, and patterns to create compositions that are open to interpretation. In this genre, artists often explore the fundamental qualities of line and form. This allows the artist to focus on the essence of their subject rather than its actual representation. Left: 'Seated nude' by Pablo Picasso, 1909-10. Right: 'Bottle and fishes' by Georges Braque, 1910-12. The history of abstract line art traces back to early 20th-century art...

Christy Hopkins  Seattle, USA Raised in Southern California in a creative family, Christy Hopkins began painting in her 20s. I first came across Christy's creative practice a few years ago in videos of her dancing and painting. Her energy is contagious and the vibrant life expressed in her paintings do it justice. Christy paints intuitively, like most great Abstract Expressionists, letting each moment guide her. She paints in layers with brushstrokes that match the rhythms of music. Her...

Taher Jaoui  Dubai, UAE Artist and mathematician Taher Jaoui was born in Tunis and studied sciences at the Sorbonne in Paris. That was before he became an artist. Without a formal art education, Taher pulls from a diverse mix of influences—African primitive art, graffiti, glitch art, the COBRA movement, and of course Abstract Expressionism.  With the declared goal of continuing the legacy of the postwar Abstract Expressionist movement, Taher creates large paintings with expressive gestural brushstrokes...

David Fredrik Moussallem  Toronto, Canada Although David Fredrik's art is not technically Abstract Expressionism, I still love it. David's art can be classified as "post-graffiti" (which is a style that I'll write about in the future)—deconstructed collage paintings with obvious influences from his appreciation of global subcultures and street art.  David's paintings have that distressed city wall look, layered with old posters and graffiti, onto which he blends calligraphy and blurred color fields. He carves into these mixed media surfaces,...