Why Is Abstract Art So Popular
I’m sure many people would question the popularity of abstract art and more so, non-representational. In this article, Why is Abstract Art So Popular, I will highlight some of the reasons that many people find abstract art and non-representation abstract art quite interesting.
Abstract art has been with us in various forms for over a century and has proved to be self-renewing, a standing cultural crux and a critical tradition of creativity. A popular understanding in the art world that is all art is abstract. The effectiveness and meaningfulness of arranging colours, shapes, lines, textures and composition are what makes art. Good art or not so good art becomes a different subject.
You might be an abstract fan outright or don’t understand what it means, but abstract art has been with us and has gained popularity among many people over the years despite its complexity in understanding. And there is a reason for gaining popularity.
Abstract art is the kind of art that does not often try to represent a visuality’s depiction but instead uses gestural marks, shapes, colours and forms to achieve its impact. This emanates from the term abstraction, which indicates a departure from reality in depicting imagery in art.
There is a difference between abstract art and non-representational art. Abstract art may use familiar objects but transform them into different shapes. The artwork will still include recognisable objects.
Non-representational art, on the other hand, does not use familiar or recognisable objects at all. It relies entirely on using the meanings and associations of colours, shapes and lines. Such meanings and associations differ from one culture to another, which can present another challenge to understanding abstract or non-representational art.
This departure from the reality of abstract art can be complete, slight or partial. Abstraction implies distancing an idea or notion from its objective referents – which in art means pulling a depiction away from any representational literal referencing points.
Therefore, abstract art is a multifaceted genre with a wide range of forms. The genre is ambiguous and lacks objective representation, making it complex to comprehend.
The popularity of abstract art
There are several articles which highlight the popularity of abstract art. These include:
- Popular art today
- Best selling painting styles
- Popular art styles
- Art Trends to Watch in 2023
- Essential art styles
- Popular painting styles
There is also a great article from Artsy about the popularity of abstract art and many other articles and studies that I’m sure would surprise many people.
Although abstract art is ambiguous and complex, many people like it hence helping it gain popularity. But why is this art that most people don’t understand so popular? What makes it popular? Let’s check out.
Why is abstract art so popular
1. It has unlimited ways it can be explored
Architecture, abstract art, and design can be found everywhere. Art is all over and it is understandable why it is so popular because of the unlimited ways it can be explored or interpreted. Because of the freedom of exploration, this genre has formed a significant part of most modern-day artistic practices.
One of the attractions of non-representational abstract art is found in its meaning. The meaning is subjective, i.e. it allows both the artist and the viewer the absolute freedom of expression.
As a viewer, it is entirely up to you to add your own interpretation and meaning. It releases any boundaries that may restrict your interpretation. For example, if you look at a landscape painting, you would expect to see familiar objects relating to landscapes – the sky, valleys, trees, hills, etc.
2. It employs abstract techniques
The abstract design uses abstract techniques, allowing artists to represent and explore their personal feelings and thoughts without necessarily directly representing them. Abstraction has a lot of freedom for both the artists and viewers, as mentioned above.
This genre of art paved the way for artistic liberty. Anything from materiality and spirituality to mental and physical states can be explored via an innovative application of form, line, or colour.
3. It is a versatile genre
Abstract art is a versatile genre that has been evolving since its inception. This versatility has led to its increased attraction and popularity. Abstract art is developing even more and taking a new shape and form with the introduction of technology, digital applications, tools and social media.
4. It has a purpose in the world, both the viewer and the artist.
Abstract art’s purpose to the world is another reason why it is becoming increasingly popular and attractive. Many people buy these paintings to add a special statement to their surroundings whether at home, at the workplace or in public venues. Abstract art provides us with the opportunity to connect with its forms, colours, textures and energy.
5. It is a means of expression
Any art is a way of expressing one’s feelings, thoughts, beliefs and imaginations. For an artist creating abstract artwork, the process can be an expressive way of channelling emotion and creative energy. The painting can be seen as a kind of therapy and can be so Mediaite for most abstract artists.
6. Abstract art covers a plethora of painting styles.
Abstract art can be complex art to the untrained eyes, as it entails a myriad of painting styles. This kind of art does not directly depict any aspect of the natural world, while its subject is just a visual language of form and colour.
However, the structure of the artwork is what would make a meaningful painting that would help the viewers to find their own interpretations. Abstract and non-representational art is not about understanding it, but more about feeling it.
The beauty of abstract art
The beauty of abstract art, both for the viewer and artist, is that any person can interpret any art they see in whichever way they decide to. Therefore, this art has a lot of freedom of exploration and breaks most art rules. The artistic, creative mind has more freedom to interpret whatever appears before the sense.
Not many other art genres would give the artist and the viewer such freedom of expression and interpretation. This is perhaps one of the most attractions to non-representational art and the beauty of abstract paintings.
What makes abstract art so special
With all that said, what makes this kind of art so unique? Here is what makes abstract art so special
- It offers infinite interpretation potential.
Abstract art can be interpreted in many ways. Every viewer has the freedom to interpret it the way they want. Every viewer’s interpretation will depend on their experience (not necessarily in art), knowledge and personality base.
- It holds deep meanings
Although this is could be a complex art genre, non-representational art attracts several different interpretations within its representation of non-identifiable objects. It constantly attempts to communicate its deeper meanings.
The artwork holds several meanings, ideas, thoughts, concepts and imagination. There is hardly a limit to how individually we can interpret a non-representational artwork.
What does abstract art do for us?
Non-representational abstract art plays a great role in allowing us to be alone with ourselves away from the busy lives that most of us experience. Work commitments, mobile phones, social media, relationships and the list goes on and on.
Just for a few moments to just unwind and be with yourself. Not thinking about work, not thinking about the wife/husband or kids. Not thinking about checking your emails or social media. Not thinking about anything else, literally. Not so many people believe that would be possible at all.
Well, I think non-representational abstract art allows us to do just that. It allows unique opportunities to explore the undiscovered ‘self’. And that is the main attraction to the popularity of abstract art.
What makes abstract art good
I have recently written a blog about What Makes a Good Abstract Painting which highlights the importance of the artist’s intention and vision in his/her creative process. Making a good abstract painting directly links to the ability to create that special emotional response with the viewers.
However, what makes abstract art good is different from what is good abstract art. Abstract art is good for us because it frees us from any restrictive thought process, it frees our minds from any inherent limitation of thoughts and constrained imaginations.
Abstract art allows us to see things as we think they are, not necessarily as they really are.
This is one of the main and unique features of abstract art and it is one of the reasons that different people interpret the same abstract artwork differently. We interpret the artwork based on our individual perceptions and inner feelings.
Although we all live in the same one world, we interpret it differently because we all experience the same one world differently.
Conclusion
Abstract art can be very challenging to understand. It is so different from many other art genres due to its departure from recognisable reality.
Many people won’t be so keen on figuring out unrecognisable and unfamiliar subjects.
Don’t try to understand abstract art. I’m not sure why there is so much emphasis on understanding abstract art the minute you mention the word.
The internet is full of blogs talking and explaining about understanding abstract art. Why?
I appreciate that not everyone finds or will find abstract art interesting, which is fine. However, for those who like art but are still unsure about abstract art, all I would say give yourself more time to look at abstract artwork with an open mind and see if you like it. If you don’t, that’s fine, too.
Perhaps, I’m biased toward non-representational art because I like it and I enjoy communicating through my paintings. Abstract and non-representational art is still art and most of us enjoy art.
I’m sure several other people would have their own views about why abstract art is so popular and I would be interested to hear your views.
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