“nothing is more real than a line, a color, a surface.”
Said Dutch artist Theo van Doesburg. He and several other artists around the world as associated with what we call the “Abstract art movement”. A modern art trend, Abstract art is focused on simplification rather than realistic representation of the world. Style, and not subject is the focal point of an abstract art.
It represents the spirit of modern times when the artist was freed from the demands of patrons and elites. With the coming of photography, painting was no longer responsible for being true to reality, being a medium of capturing the real world.
This technological change was accompanied by social and political transformations- with the World War ending and the long-established institutions giving way to a whole new world, people experienced anxiety, uncertainty, hope, and a vast array of strong emotions, each of which was then expressed in the brush strokes of Abstract artists.
Broadly, Abstract art can be categorized into 2 groups- Geometric and Organic.
1. Geometric abstract art is one where geometric shape are used by the artists, which gives the canvas an unemotional and structured look.
2. Organic abstract art is one where the artist uses gestural methods, showing the movement of brush across the canvas, thus giving an evocative and human feel to the artwork even though no defined, realistic subject is present on the canvas.
There are several sub-categories of abstract art, however, most artists unite on certain points. For example, a single viewpoint in the painting is rejected in abstract art, giving way to multiple ways or perspectives for the audience, each unique and useful in creating a backstory for what one saw on the canvas.
In most of the abstract artworks, the canvas in itself does not give away much about the subject, theme, and thought of the artist. Sometimes, a title, given by the artist, helps in bringing the viewer closer to the idea that inspired the artist.
The boundary between the object in the artwork and the world around it is lost in the case of abstract art. When a person looks at a canvas, the space around it, where it is displayed and the people accompanying the viewer, all become a part of the “experience of seeing”. This is why, curation- placement, lighting, description, and sequence of display, all become important in maximizing the effect of an abstract art.
Some distinguished varieties of art within Abstract art are-
Spearheaded by Dutch artists, Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg, this technique of art involves the use of simple, geometric elements. The artwork is centered around the artist’s personal experience of the world, where the idea and not the material is important. Primary colors are used in creating neoplastic art.
The artists attempt to achieve an equilibrium, inspired by the concepts of cosmic unity in world cultures. Neoplasticism can also be seen as a result of a search for a “universal language”, which does not depend upon the national, religious, or cultural context of a particular people.
The artwork thus made, has simple elements and expresses emotions or ideas that can be felt without any deep knowledge of cultural and aesthetic theory. The context of viewing the art, the audience, the artist and the artwork itself existed in a context separate from historically prevalent notions.
An artistic trend that originated in America, abstract expressionism uses gestural techniques- brushstrokes freely spread all over the canvas, which gives the audience an idea about the process of making the art.
The artists involved in this technique focused on their own unconscious mind and drew inspiration from within, rather than the outside world.
Automostism, where the artist lets their subconscious mind take control of the process of painting, is a vital part of abstract expressionism.
This is inspired by the Jungian idea of unconsciousness, which was believed in psychology to be a mysterious realm of untapped wisdom and experience.
The artist expected the viewer to approach the painting passively, without their pre-conceived notion, and “receive” (the idea of the painting) rather than “react” (based on their own knowledge).
This strand of the Abstract art movement began in New York, around the 1960s. Repetition of a single element is an important component of minimalism, which through the recurring line, curve, brush stroke, or pattern creates a combined image. The canvas in the end, though devoid of any intricate detail, expresses profound concepts.
Optical art or op-art is a part of the abstract art movement, where shapes and colors are placed in such a way that the artwork seems to be moving. Science suggests that each color has a certain effect on the eyes, and by placement, intensity, and contrast of colors, op art reaches its final result, where looking at the canvas gives a sensation of motion.
A representation of the thought and thought process of the artist, abstract art much like the final product, is difficult to provide characteristic features to. However, there are certain features most abstract artworks carry-
☀ Absence of Recognizable Objects- The first thing that sets abstract art away from traditional, figurative paintings is the absence of landscape, portraiture, and objects from everyday life. The canvas instead showcases lines, geometric shapes, and splashes of colors and textures.
☀ Power of Colors: Abstract art relies on colors and their impact on the human psyche. Bold and soft hues are used in different measures to engage the audience and gain emotional and intellectual responses from them.
☀ Lines and Forms: Straight lines, curves, and geometric elements are the central part of any abstract art. The arrangement of these components in different ways is what creates variety and uniqueness in abstraction.
☀ Textures: Layers of color, roughness of brushwork, or smoothness of a particular part of canvas- these are some ways in which texture becomes a key player in abstract art. By experimenting with texture, the artists create a canvas that is pleasant, bold, evocative, engaging, and interactive.
Ever stood in front of a modern, abstract painting or sculpture and thought- “What is this?!”
Well, you are not alone! Though abstract artworks might appear simple, and basic and are said to be “too easy” and “childlike” by art lovers and critics, the process of interacting and understanding an abstract art is tricky.
Here is why-
☀ Abstract art is “anti-illusionist”. Simply put, instead of creating an effect of reality or conveying that art is a part of the real world, abstract art places its elements in such an order that realism disappears. The viewer is very aware that they are not looking at something that is a part of their reality. This can make the experience of seeing an abstract artwork unique as well as disarming because our knowledge and awareness of the world have no use in this process.
☀ The elements and forms in abstract art are not symbolic, unlike the more traditional artworks. There is no real living subject or motif derived from culture. Whatever form is present on the canvas- line, geometric shape, or strokes of colors, they are complete in themselves. This again is a challenge for the viewer because their understanding of culture, traditional art, symbolism, etc does not work while looking at abstract art.
☀ The impact of such artworks, which are visible, stunning, powerful, and yet not deriving their reality and value from any pre-existing cultural notion is in itself a very strong one. As self-sufficient artwork, embodying the confidence of the artist in their own consciousness and skills, rather than long-existing socio-cultural ideas, abstract artworks are entities with whom an interaction can be a potent and transformative process for the audience.
☀ Due to their powerful and very real presence, with minimal explanation and reason for their existence, abstract artworks inspire the audience to look within. The viewer is “thrown back on themselves”, and are made aware of themselves. In comparison to the traditional works of art- classic metal sculptures and paintings of the medieval era, abstract art does not transport one into a magical, bygone era.
Instead, despite many attempts of the viewer, they bring them back to the here and now, to the present, starting an interesting intellectual and emotional process with every viewing. Such experiences are equally awe-inspiring and daunting, making it difficult and unnerving for some to look at abstract art.
Abstract art in its core is born out of the unrest and transformation of modern society. It is also rooted in universal fundamentals of art, in the expression of emotions and ideas, something which was not unknown to the Indian artists.
Around mid-20th century, inspired by the abstract art movement in the world, many painters and sculptors in India began to move away from classic and traditionally established aesthetics. This was the beginning of abstraction in Indian art, which was pioneered and sustained by many world-renowned artists, whose works continue to be a center of attraction in museums and art galleries around the world.
👉 V.S. Gaitonde: One of the most prominent Indian abstract artists, Gaitonde’s paintings contain his experience of the world and exploration of consciousness. Translucent wash and delicate brushstrokes in his paintings create an enigmatic space for the audience.
His works like Black (1961) and Untitled (1971) are examples of his control of texture and color, which despite the simplicity of abstraction, provide a complete expression of his ideas. One of the earliest artists in abstraction, Gaitonde’s impact can be seen on many of the contemporary abstract artists.
👉 S.H. Raza: He is a name most of the followers and connoisseurs of modern art are familiar with. His paintings such as “La Terre” (The Earth) are a celebration of Raza’s connection with the culture of India. During his time in France, Raza shifted toward geometric abstraction, resulting in marvelous and profound artworks like “Bindu” (1967)- a bright red circle that symbolized the creation or origin of the universe. Among the most important contributions of Raza is his work as the founder of Bombay Progressive Artists Group, which nourished modern and revolutionary artists across India.
👉 Maqbool Fida Husain: Compared by many with the legendary Picasso, M.F. Hussain is equal parts famous and controversial in the international art scene. His figurative and abstract artworks were inspired by the international cubist movement, whose elements Husain successfully combined with motifs of Indian folk art. “Battle of Kurukshetra”, and “Seated Bull” by Husain showcase his use of abstraction with the age-old traditions of India, adding a narrative element to the simplicity of abstract art.
👉 Tyeb Mehta: A citizen of a chaotic and changing era, Tyeb Mehta is known for emotional, turbulent, and effective art, using the methods of abstraction. His canvases often show distorted and fragmented human figures, which express the emotional upheaval of the artist.
“Falling Figure” and “Bullfight” are his renowned works, popular for the way in which struggle and unrest are presented by Mehta. Unlike the notion that abstraction is a personal expression, Mehta used abstract art to talk about real-life issues of politics and society, which sets him apart from the prevalent ideas of the Abstract movement.
👉 Nasreen Mohamedi: Geometry and natural world combine in the works of Mohamedi with such beauty, that even minimal abstract seems rich and filled with emotions. She is known for her grid-based structures and ink drawings, such as “Shifting Lines”, which are perfect examples of her attention to fine details and the charm of the technique of repetition. Drawing her inspiration from her surroundings, Mohamedi transformed mundane into profound, letting the viewer engage on a deeper level with the logic of the world through her paintings.
👉 Zarina Hashmi: Another artist who challenged the notions of abstract, Hashmi worked with woodcuts and prints to express her personal experiences and ideas like memory, displacement, and household. Works like “Chettinad Houses” and “The Refugee” are examples of how Hashmi successfully blended a larger social narrative, with her personal insights to comment on emotional and political truths, while remaining true to the essence of abstraction.
👉 Kanwal Krishna: The technique of gestural abstraction, a core element of Abstract art movement was mastered by Krishna, who presented dynamic brushwork, movement, and a vibrant color palette on his canvases. “Composition” and “Untitled” (1970) represent the skills of Krishna, whose artworks celebrated the process and not just the final product.
Spontaneity and rawness of expression, the basis of abstraction, were followed by Krishna in his works, who was the pioneer for an expressive and bold artistic consciousness in the Indian art sphere, which was traditionally ruled by techniques of control and order.
👉 Jehangir Sabavala: A member of the Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group, Sabavala based his abstract art on the mythology and culture of India. His paintings, where he used soft, earthy tones and textured elements, reminded his audience of ancient and primitive art. “Landscape” and “Yaksha” are some of his widely discussed, works, which include abstract elements along with hints of landscape and characters of Indian mythology. The way Sabavala connected modern with tradition using his personal visual language, makes him a stalwart among the many abstract artists in India.
👉 Ram Kumar: Born in the scenic city of Shimla, Kumar was among the earliest artists who experimented with abstraction and left figurative art to create their own unique language on canvas. He worked along with celebrities of modern art such as Raza and Hussain and was an integral part of the Progressive Artists’ Group. His time with fellow abstract artists as well as the Shantiniketan painter Sailoz Mookherjea gave his art a distinct quality. Besides excelling on the canvas, Ram Kumar was also an inventive writer in Hindi and was the elder brother of the renowned Hindi writer Nirmal Verma.
👉 Geeta Kapoor: Renowned as a feminist artist, Kapoor is also an abstract artist who took the simplicity of the technique to new levels of personal and political expression. Her unique style included organic forms, repetition, and textures, using which she created girls like “Red Alter”, where female subjectivity and many layers of life as a woman are unveiled to the audience. In the modern art world, which is dominated by prominent male artists, Kapoor stands as a powerful presence, mixing social commentary with modern aesthetics.
Maybe it was the ancient color symbolism, where each color, even in isolation had a deep and powerful meaning or maybe it was the pre-existing sacred art, where a few geometric shapes put together represented the entire cosmos, Indian art arena was able to welcome the principles of abstract with an ease which was not experienced by the West, credited with the origin of abstraction in art.
In contemporary times, there are several artists who have perfected the technique of abstraction, creating masterpieces that are simply entrancing.
Explore Exotic India Art’s collection of abstract and modern art, collected and curated to represent the best of the Indian abstract movement.
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