Abstract art, defined as any painting or sculpture where the meaning is non-objective (not realistic), is essentially an artwork form with its own rules and sensibilities. It may be based on the visible world but is subjective by nature. Abstract art does not attempt to represent or imitate objects in nature; instead, abstract art is a self-reflective art form that may refer to anything. It uses the natural beauty of color and form with expressionistic techniques or just simple geometric shapes that organize space into a work of art. Or, abstract art might contain recognizable objects but in an unrecognizable way.
What is special About Abstract Art?
Abstract art provides us with an opportunity to take what we see in the world and make it our own—to filter it through ourselves or through our culture to make it unique. It allows for personal expression and interpretation! It also employs universal symbols that are universally understood but may have different meanings for each person who views them.
Abstract art often has multiple levels of meaning, which allow you as the viewer to explore its symbolism without feeling constrained by the rules or norms of realistic art. You can interpret an abstract painting or sculpture how you like: there is no right or wrong meaning.
Abstract art may also act as an emotional translator—it can help express emotions that do not have a name but are felt just the same. While abstract art does not need to represent any one thing, it often reflects the feelings of the artist at the time it was created—emotions like happiness, longing, anger, love, and sadness. Abstract art is no less "real" than realistic fine art; if anything, it is more natural because it goes beyond realism!
Abstract paintings were probably first created by cavemen who drew their dreams on cave walls with red pigment sticks. They did not need names; they were simply capturing what was before them (or perhaps what they wished to see). The red and green and white and black and brown marks that they made were simply an attempt to capture or describe an image. It was abstract art!
Modern Abstract Art
Today, we create abstract art in much the same way: we use materials like oil pastels, paint, pencil lead, and clay to capture what our minds see. The difference between this modern abstract art and cave painting is that now we give it names—we describe it with words such as "abstract expressionism" or "hyperrealism." But both types of art are based on feelings, emotions, dreams, and visions rather than real-life objects. Abstract paintings can also express political statements or protest war and violence, but these too would be considered non-objective art.
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