Art in every era has been designed not only to show but also to tell a person a story – as if a connected plot and narrative on a canvas. And you ask, how is this possible in art? Any painting that’s painted carries not only an aesthetic meaning for your room, but also gives recognition about ancient heroes or biblical events, thus, painting developed in a person not only a sense of the beautiful and tangible, but also the historical and cultural development of man. The painting played the role of a kind of storyteller that conveyed to the viewer not only the images but also the emotions, thoughts and ideas of the artist, thus depicting for the viewer the specific subjects painted in the oil painting. Like other forms of art, they have a counterbalance to realism, and over time, other movements in painting emerged, and they continued to depict reality, only transforming it from a different angle – this concept includes impressionism, expressionism and post-impressionism. The question remains of the development of art, as something different and bold, so a new direction is emerging that will determine the future of abstract art and it gave impetus in the 20th century.
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Is abstraction in the art of painting of great importance in the world?
Abstractionism in oil painting art is a global movement that manifested itself in the refusal to convey things of the physical world as we are accustomed to seeing them, and instead of a narrative character, which is typical for many genres of art painting, comes a figurative and semantic one. To understand the meaning of abstract art, you need to accept the fact that for artists it is not the accuracy of conveying the reality of objects on canvas that is important, but for them the main thing is the meaning, idea, and concept that stands behind the object.
Let’s think a little about abstraction, and take as an example how to depict the concept of “justice” on canvas, and at the same time, not use things of the physical world? The artist requires a deep understanding of concepts and the ability to convey it through the intangible means of what is depicted on the canvas – so, they had to use a balance of colors, lines, textures and movements, which allows them to create a visual embodiment of the underlying concept of “justice”, which can evoke corresponding associations and emotional response. Abstraction should not only be simple in its understanding, but also provide the necessary images (laid by the artists) that the viewer can see on the canvas, and there are situations when each oil painting from abstract art can be seen and interpreted in different ways, which makes the painting a valuable work for collectors.
Let’s take an example of the modern artist Voichenko in his oil painting “Fish de Bird” – it has characteristic features for the genre in abstract art, such as the use of geometric shapes, bright and contrasting colors, as well as the absence of realistic details and plot. If you look closely at this oil painting, you can see both the images of a bird and a fish, which symbolizes strength, freedom, and the flight of the spirit, and the fish, in turn, shows birth, because “all living things came out of the water.” The idea behind this oil painting can be interpreted in different ways, as abstraction in art often leaves room for subjective perception, and to enhance this effect blue colors and shades of yellow-orange were used to convey the desired symbols – this creates a sense of the full structure of the painting. However, the final understanding of the idea comes with time, and it remains a mystery for the audience what is true and what is not – if everyone can see something of their own in this work, which is based on personal emotions and associations. For some, a bird is just a bird, just like a fish is just a fish, without any meaning, and abstraction in art seeks to express ideas and emotions through non-figurative elements and compositions.
Abstraction is in first place in the art of painting by association
Having analyzed the example, as you understand, abstraction in art painting is a genre that primarily takes into account the associations that this or that oil painting evokes in the viewer. Both a minus and a plus for artists – each person will have a purely individual perception and response from an oil painting, and thus the following tasks were highlighted:
1) Artists formed their own artistic and semantic language with which they would depict abstract concepts.
2) Artists are determined by the laws of formation of forms and space on the canvases of their oil paintings.
3) Artists come up with images or several images that will convey the tone and emotional perception of the viewer.
4) Artists had to deal with the designation of each symbol so that the oil painting would not cause dissonance with the chosen image and color composition.
The tasks written above are necessary for artists because they cannot know what associations it will evoke in you and what it will specifically mean for each viewer: abstract art does not pose the questions “what did the author want to say with this?” – it puts before you an emotional property, like an association. Abstraction forces the viewer to think, and at the same time feel and interpret the work of art in such a way that their own experiences and associations appear, and artists strive to ensure that their works resonate on a deep emotional level, leaving room for imagination and internal dialogue in the viewer.
Summarizing the general conclusions, then abstract painting in art turns into such an interactive process, where each viewer becomes a co-author of the work and giving new meanings and values to the oil painting. Artists working in this genre not only create visual images, but also initiate a process of reflection and emotional response that continues to live in the viewer’s mind long after the oil painting has been seen.
Abstract Art Painting – Development of Subgenres
Abstraction in the world of painting has many roots that have developed in it, both its own different genres and borrowing from others. Abstraction did not arise suddenly and unexpectedly, but was the result of a long evolutionary process that included elements and ideas from many cultures and styles. Thus, the first abstract movement was impressionism in 1870-1880, and despite the fact that a naturalistic approach was still visible in it, it could easily be classified as abstract art.
Let’s figure out what impressionism is in the art of painting – artists sought to capture fleeting moments from everyday life and convey impressions of them, rather than create idealized and complete compositions. A characteristic feature is that impressionism includes loose, short brush strokes, light and bright colors, and there is no clear contours and attention to changes in light and color depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Impressionist artists often worked outdoors, like plein air, which allowed them to more accurately convey the play of light and shadow on objects. One of the key technical techniques of impressionism: the use of the technique of decomposing color into separate strokes, which merge in the viewer’s eyes at a certain distance, and this creates the impression that in front of you is a bright and vibrant oil painting.
Let’s take, for example, a painting by contemporary artist Ivanyuk entitled “Morning garden” – it is made in the style of impressionism and conveys a feeling of natural beauty and harmony. The main idea of an oil painting is related to the perception of nature as a source of inspiration and peace – bright and saturated colors emphasize the beauty of nature at a certain moment in time, like a sunset. The colors used in an oil painting, such as pink, green, blue and orange, create a light atmosphere of joy and vitality, and the use of thick brush strokes creates a feeling of movement and liveliness. The artist depicted on his canvas fruit trees with fruits, surrounded by lush vegetation, which symbolizes abundance and fertility – and refers us to the garden as a place of peace and solitude for humans. Taken as a whole, an oil painting strives to convey fleeting sensations and impressions of nature, capturing the viewer’s attention to the beauty of the moment, which only causes emotional joy and tranquility in him.
So, according to the first similarity, impressionism does not belong to abstraction? Yes and no – impressionism became the first sprout towards the development of the genre of abstraction in the art of painting, and although there are initial similarities between them, such as liberation from realism or a focus on color and light, true abstractionism is still far away. So, we will smoothly move on to lyrical abstraction, or as they call “the artist’s state of mind.”
Lyrical abstraction is an art in painting that pierces the human soul
Impressionism (eventually) played a key role in the transition from traditional academic art to modern art, which was based on a free and experimental approach to the genre of painting. And if impressionism has just begun to emerge, then let’s look at the movement that was born from abstraction.
Lyrical abstraction is one of the (many) movements in abstract art that primarily focuses on the expression of the artist’s personal emotions, feelings and spiritual states and is conveyed through color, form and composition. The main characteristic is that it is distinguished by free and spontaneous brushstrokes from conventional abstraction, and an intensive use of color, and organic, but often asymmetrical forms. Unlike geometric abstraction, which is based on clear lines and shapes, lyrical abstraction prefers a more fluid and intuitive approach.
Abstract art has philosophical foundations, and the lyrical movement is no exception – it is associated with the ideas of existentialism and subjectivity, which were popular in the post-war period. Artists sought ways to express complex emotions and the human condition in conditions of post-war uncertainty and anxiety, so it is believed that each oil painting, which was painted in a lyrical form, pierced the gaze of each viewer, and then his soul. In this sense, lyrical abstraction has become a way of exploring and understanding the inner world of a person, as well as a response to the challenges of the external world – this is the magic of color asymmetrical shapes and lines.
Let’s then, to consolidate knowledge, consider the example of one of the contemporary artists, like Olga Melezhik and her painting called “Shine” – definitely, lyrical painting in abstraction is catchy with its ideas and color. And the artist conveyed this perfectly in her work – the yellow color is characterized by energy, optimism and light; while black evokes depth, mystery or darkness; The color blue evokes feelings of calm. The contrast between yellow, black, and blue colors creates the impression that the canvas is dynamic, and this enhances the emotional rich perception of the viewer. Expressive strokes and drops of paint, which are scattered on the canvas, create that same feeling of movement and energy – this symbolizes the spontaneity, impulsiveness and strength of emotions that the artist experienced while creating the oil painting.
Lyrical abstraction in the art of painting has subtle elements of both chaos and order – spontaneous lines and drops of paint, which are depicted in Melezhik’s oil painting. Combined with calmer and more balanced areas, creating a balance between different states, and as a suggestion – this reflects the inner struggle or harmony of the artist. An oil painting by Olga Melezhik entitled “Shine” conveys intense emotions and inner experiences, using painting techniques as a basis, like colors and shapes to create a powerful visual effect. It evokes different associations and interpretations in the viewer, which is one of the goals of lyrical abstraction – to provoke an emotional response and reflection.
Thus, lyrical abstraction, with its emphasis on personal feelings and inner states, became an important stage in the evolution of abstract painting – this direction emphasized the importance of an intuitive approach and free expression, which continues in modern artistic practices as a kind of legacy.
Abstract cubism – hardcore in the art of painting
Painting in the art of abstraction began to move towards the clear lines of geometry and cubism to convey images and associations for viewers. Let us consider and dwell in more detail on cubism – this is one of the most significant and influential movements in abstract art that arose at the beginning of the 20th century. The direction of Cubism radically changed ideas about traditional form, as well as about space and perspective in painting and sculpture, and artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque are considered pioneers in this direction – “great among the great genre.”
All this, of course, is of interest, but it is much more important to understand what the main characteristics are behind Cubism – it is characterized by a rejection of traditional linear perspectives and the desire to show an object from several points of view at the same time. Artists who use cubism in their oil paintings compositionally decompose objects into geometric shapes, such as cubes, cones, spheres, which allows them to convey the multidimensionality and dynamics of reality. The use of such methods and techniques led to the creation of fragmented and abstracted images, where shapes and planes intersect and overlap each other (dedicated to fans of educational geometry).
Consider, for example, an oil painting by Maksym Newskulenko with the title “Deja vu” – at first glance it will seem creepy for some viewers – this is caused by the dessanitizing image of a person through cubism and looking with one eye at the viewer. And yet, the artist’s painting arouses great interest and this is perfectly conveyed through the depicted human figure through many geometric shapes and angles, which symbolizes the complexity and multi-layered nature of the human personality and its perception of the world. Conveying the idea that human personality consists of many aspects, some of which may be hidden or not obvious.
One of the main ideas of Cubism is the image of an object from different points of view at the same time, which reflects the concept of relativity of perception – that the same object can look different depending on the angle of view of the observer. And the same effect remains when you look at an oil painting by Nyuskulenko – this creates the impression that what you see is not just an image or form, but a multifaceted truth that conveys the perception of reality through the three-dimensionality of cubism. For some viewers, light and shadows are an integral part of any art of painting, but, we are talking about abstraction, a message creeps in here too, like the struggle between light and darkness, between the obvious and the hidden. By paying attention to details, the painting calls on the viewer to think and analyze, while evoking many associations and his own interpretations, and the artist (pushes the viewer) reveals to you a metaphor about the complex and multifaceted nature of human existence. The question remains in your mind – is it just a figure or something big? You will find the answer for yourself – watch and reveal the secret.
Thus, cubism in abstractionism laid an important foundation in the development of the art of painting, while destroying traditional ideas about form and space – and lifts the curtain on the genre of abstraction, and makes an impetus to more and more new horizons for artistic expression (transmission of new emotional paintings) .
Painting Art Abstract – A Home Haven For Artists
Based on the examples of artists from three important pillars in the genre of abstract painting art, such as impressionism, lyrical abstraction, and cubism – this is not all that is present in abstract art, there are many others – there are many of them. The main goal was to emphasize the importance of art, which throughout all eras until modern times has shown/is showing itself as a means not only of visual beauty, but also of storytelling, cultural and historical education for humans. The art of painting, whether it is realistic or abstract, is not important, because any art serves as a conductor of ideas, emotions, and philosophical reflections that are transmitted through the visual images of artists. Thus, the development of painting proceeds from the genre of realism to the genre of abstractionism, and demonstrates the desire of artists not only to explore, but also to introduce something new into the already established canon – roughly speaking, to move from boring academic techniques to bold examples of art. And also to convey not only the external forms of the world, but also the internal meanings and concepts of the human soul, which are difficult to express using traditional painting methods.
So, comes to the rescue the genre of abstract art of painting, and in particular, to convey complex ideas and feelings on canvas – allows artists to use techniques and methods using colors, shapes and proper composition. We can say that in the genre of abstraction, with the help of artists, a certain space is created for individual interpretations for each person, and this makes the oil painting unique in the eyes of the viewer, as well as a valuable acquisition for many years. And examples of such paintings are from contemporary artists like Voichenko and Melezhik – they illustrate how abstraction can convey deep symbolic meanings through the use of color combinations and shapes, evoking personal associations and emotional responses in the viewer.
Once the information is settled, and one comes to realize that abstraction in painting art allows one to become not only a viewer, but also a co-creator of the work, offering one’s interpretation and deep interaction with the oil painting. Abstractionism in art becomes not only visually necessary and pleasant, but also a kind of intellectual and emotional experience: “Not every painting will allow itself to be read if the viewer is not ready to interact with it on a deeper level.” We can say that art does not just convey images, but triggers the viewer’s process of reflection and gives the desired emotional response, continuing to live in the viewer’s mind for a long time after viewing the oil painting.
Abstraction in painting art is also called as a process of abstraction from the specific characteristics of an object in the real world, that any object can be replaced by its image or model. The direction in which visual reality fades into the background, and comes in return as associations and human emotions. And the main thing is to understand that painting does not have an absolute patent for abstraction, because it appears to the world and for the world, and is found in every person everywhere and in his everyday life. As one artist said: “Aesthetic pleasure in abstraction occurs when a person realizes creativity as a reflection of the laws of the universe, which is hidden behind external factors, as their presentation by an actual phenomenon in the world. Artists achieved patterns through the relationships of abstract forms.”
All examples of photographs and artists were kindly provided by Ukrainian Vintage Co.
