The aesthetic concept and artistic language of abstract art emerged in the early 20th century. Prior to this, there were attempts by individual artists to transition to non-representational painting, but at that time, they were not understood within academic circles or by admirers of the fine arts. Abstract art abandoned the depiction of objects close to reality in order to free creative thought from the constraints of classical aesthetics. Essentially, it represents a perpetual experiment that goes beyond traditional notions of artistic essence. The use of specific expressive elements (lines, forms, colors) gives rise to numerous challenges in interpreting abstract paintings. Due to the absence of imagery familiar to our consciousness on the canvas, viewers often struggle to assess the originality of the artwork and the creative intent behind the canvas.
Why Can't Every Painting Be Considered Art?
The presence of talent and basic skills is insufficient to become a professional artist. Fully realizing one's potential and achieving higher levels of mastery only come after years of diligent work and education in specialized institutions. Unfortunately, not everyone manages to complete this entire journey; most either remain at the initial stages or halfway through. Inability to accurately reproduce the proportions of complex objects on canvas often leads many artists to experiment with abstractions. Working with simple shapes and lines allows them to mask gaps in their education and lack of fundamental drawing skills. As a result, non-representational painting frequently faces criticism, especially from inexperienced viewers.
How to Distinguish a Genuine Abstract Masterpiece?
There are several objective criteria by which critics evaluate the work of abstract artists:
- Artist's Education: A diploma from a prestigious university or academy confirms that the artist has received training in various disciplines. They possess the ability to draw different types of objects, use basic techniques, and create quality paintings. Education serves as a guarantee that the artist had the freedom to choose styles and painting directions, and their affinity for abstraction isn't motivated by a desire to mask inadequate drawing skills.
- Composition: There are fundamental rules of composition that reflect how humans perceive basic forms and the harmony of their combinations. Skill in working with composition indicates the artist's engagement in the art discourse. Violating these established rules can lead to a sense of incompleteness or lack of thoughtfulness in the painting.
- Artist's Skill in Working with Color: Skillful selection of primary and auxiliary colors in an abstract painting can evoke deep emotional experiences and aesthetic pleasure in the viewer. Principles of creating color balance have been taught in art institutions for centuries. A professional artist is familiar with these principles and actively employs them in their work. In some cases, the ability to balance colors can also reflect the level of the artist's artistic education.
- Influence of Art Traditions and Cultural Context: In the work of abstract artists, traces of the influence of certain schools and movements can always be found. Their aesthetic ideals, authentic language, and objectives impact the artist's style and create a prism through which they view the world. The works of these artists are embedded in various cultural contexts. These influences might not always be obvious, but even on a superficial level, the meaningful content contributes to the depth of abstract art.
- Authenticity: The pursuit of creative authenticity compels artists to experiment with various artistic languages and techniques. An original, distinctive style helps differentiate an artist's paintings from those of their peers. Achieving true authenticity in abstraction can be complex due to the limited choice of geometric forms. However, artists always have the opportunity to make their work recognizable. An artist's unique style adds special value and significance to their paintings within the visual arts. To assess an artist's style, it's essential to consider the internal context of their creativity. Sometimes, it's necessary to explore a series of works by the same artist to identify their characteristic techniques and decisions. In the works of real masters, consistent motifs can always be found, serving as the axis around which the creative process revolves, bringing their ideas to life.
Works of poor quality from amateurs are characterized by generic subjects and simplistic color combinations. In extreme cases, the absence of compositional and color harmony may also be evident. Art market participants rely on comprehensive evaluation methods, making it rare for low-quality works to be displayed in prestigious galleries. As an indirect criterion for selection, inexperienced viewers can consider the demand for an artist's canvases.
Differences in Styles of Different Artists
An artist's style reflects their unique perspective of the world and preferences in the palette of expression. When evaluating the artistic manner of various artists, attention should be given to:
- Forms (flat/volumetric, simple/complex, static/dynamic, organic/geometric);
- Colors (warm/cool, saturated/unsaturated);
- Tones (closer to white/closer to black, high contrast/low contrast);
- Composition (complex/simple, symmetrical/asymmetrical);
- Texture (smooth/rough).
Art academies teach artists to master all these elements, but their prominence varies in an artist's unique style. For example, some artists may lean towards working with color, experimenting with vividness and tones, while others may focus on form and meticulously rendering each element. Evaluating an artist's work can reveal where their true passion lies. Preferences can provide valuable insights into the artist's creative nature.
Emphasis on color is often characteristic of sensitive souls. Color is one of the most effective tools for evoking emotions. Through combinations of warm hues, one can stimulate individuals, boost energy, and improve mood. Gazing at cool tones can induce calmness and set a sentimental tone.
The shape of geometric figures also influences emotions and mood, but its primary purpose is to form visual images and concepts. The severity and finesse of forms can indicate the artist's inclination towards analyzing and studying space and objects.
Abstract Paintings at KyivGallery
In our gallery, we showcase artworks by contemporary Ukrainian artists. For many of them, abstractionism has turned into a passion for creating new worlds through flowers and forms. Each artwork undergoes art historical expertise to determine its originality and artistic value.
Serhii Dekaliuk
Youthful artist from the Ternopil region, Serhii Dekaliuk, aims to reveal the hidden depths of life in his creations. Beyond objects, processes, and forms lies another dynamic reality. It unfolds in everything we see around us but remains elusive. Dekaliuk's canvases display abstract still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and untitled free compositions. The artist loves working with emotions, and thus, his paintings literally radiate vibrant colors. His series of abstract canvases reflect Dekaliuk's fascination in different periods of his creative life.
Vasyl Lokatyr
Vasyl Lokatyr's distinctive style has been shaped under the influence of abstract expressionism, reminiscent of Jackson Pollock. Broad brushstrokes executed in impasto technique blend with streams of spilled paint on the canvas. The artist skillfully balances red and black colors with white and turquoise. Lokatyr avoids giving names to his works, inviting viewers to independently name the intricate combination of forms and movements of paint on the canvas.
Ihor Melnyk
The artist prefers the free play of warm and cool colors. Rich, moderately contrasting colors evoke complex combinations of emotions in the viewer, dominated by a sense of comfort. Instead of static objects, Ihor Melnyk often portrays processes in his canvases: "Movement," "Read Tale," "Sunny Episode."
Abstract Painting - A Window to Another Reality
Through skillful combinations of colors and forms, artists manage to evoke ambiguous emotional reactions in viewers. The unusual non-objectivity of color in the subject of the paintings gradually shifts the focus from representation to expressiveness. Simultaneously, perception is replaced by presentation. Thanks to this, the viewer becomes involved in the creative process, immersing themselves in the fantastic worlds generated by the artist's consciousness. The language of abstractionism employs basic forms to reveal the inner harmony of the world's construction. For this reason, true works of art in this style can provide aesthetic pleasure and valuable emotional experience. An abstract painting by a professional artist challenges our perceptions of reality and immediately opens up new boundaries of the possible.
KyivGallery art critic