What is abstract art ?

What is abstract art? At its core, abstract art is a non-objective form of artistic expression that breaks away from traditional, realistic styles. Instead of portraying recognizable subjects, it seeks to evoke emotion, provoke thought, and deliver an intangible experience. If you're wondering what is abstract art, it's the kind of art that communicates through color, shape, and form, rather than narrative or literal imagery.

What is abstract art in today’s context? It exists in countless forms, spanning both two-dimensional and three-dimensional mediums. Yet, its revolutionary impact came when artists first abandoned realistic representations, forever changing the course of modern art. By asking what is abstract art, we can begin to understand how this movement challenged conventions and invited viewers to interpret art through feeling and intuition.

One of the most influential abstract artists is Mark Rothko, he was a pivotal figure in the development of abstract art, known for his large-scale color field paintings that conveyed deep emotional resonance. His work marked a shift away from form and narrative, focusing instead on pure expression through color, scale, and composition. Rothko’s use of soft-edged, luminous rectangles created meditative spaces that invited personal reflection and emotional engagement. His influence helped define the Abstract Expressionist movement and redefined what abstract art could be—spiritual, immersive, and profoundly human. Today, his legacy continues to shape contemporary artists exploring color, emotion, and the experiential power of non-representational painting.

Hailed as one of the most important abstract expressionists of the 20^th century, Mark Rothko is synonymous with his ‘colour field’ paintings – arrangements of rectangular panes in vivid hues. The term is applied to the work of abstract painters working in the 1950’s and 60’s, characterised by areas of flat single colour coupled with emotional, mythic or religious content and the painterly and gestural application associated with it.

What are the characteristics of abstract art

The main characteristics of abstract art include the following:

Strong valuation of colors, lines, shapes, and textures
No recognizable objects either in part or fully
Subjective. relating to, or arising within one's self or mind, personal point of view
Non-representational
The opposite of figurative, realistic, or Renaissance style
Freedom of interpretation and form

The Purpose of Abstract Art

Abstract art’s main purpose is to spark the imagination and provide a personal emotional experience. The best abstract art can create a different experience depending on one’s personality or mood.

Abstract art is about the balance or unbalance of form, line, composition, and color to achieve harmony, or disharmony. Some pieces may be focused on the method in which the piece is made and which materials are involved. Others focus on the movement of the paint across the canvas or panel.

Types of Abstract Art

What is Abstract Art? At its core, it is a genre that emphasizes freedom from traditional representation, focusing instead on shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks. Abstract Art can be further understood by exploring its various subcategories, which differ based on technique, intent, and visual language. Below are the most recognized types of abstract art:

Expressive Abstraction
In expressive abstraction, the artist relies on instinct and emotion, allowing spontaneous brushstrokes to drive the composition. What is Abstract Art if not a reflection of the artist’s inner world? In this style, that world is vividly present in each stroke. Willem De Kooning exemplifies this approach, where the physical movement of the artist becomes a visible part of the artwork.

Action Painting / Gestural Abstraction
This dynamic form of expressive abstraction emphasizes physicality. Artists like Jackson Pollock used drips, splashes, and rapid gestures to create paintings that feel alive. Here, Abstract Art becomes a physical performance, where the act of creation is just as important as the final image.

Above Jackson Pollock action painting

Minimalist Abstraction
Minimalist abstraction draws from multiple movements, including Minimalism, Color Field painting, and Hard-Edge abstraction. The result is artwork that emphasizes simplicity, clarity, and balance. Artists like Agnes Martin and Donald Judd create works that explore the boundaries of visual perception. If you're wondering What is Abstract Art, minimalism answers with: less is more.

Above Agnes Martin, abstract art

Conceptual Abstraction
In this form, the idea behind the work holds greater weight than the visual result. Free from the need to represent reality, conceptual abstraction challenges the viewer to engage intellectually. What is Abstract Art when stripped of form, In conceptual abstraction, it becomes pure thought.

Hard-Edge Painting
Defined by sharp lines and clear separations of color, hard-edge painting is precise and calculated. Artists such as Josef Albers, Carmen Herrera, and Piet Mondrian use this style to explore form and color interaction. What is Abstract Art through this lens? It is a study in clarity, balance, and control.

Above, an example of a hard edge painting.

Optical Abstraction
A subcategory of hard-edge painting, optical abstraction plays with visual perception, creating illusions of movement or depth. Artists like Bridget Riley, Victor Vasarely, and Richard Anuszkiewicz use geometric precision to engage the viewer’s eye. When asking What is Abstract Art, optical abstraction shows how the mind can be tricked by the eye.

Geometric Abstraction
Closely related to both hard-edge and optical abstraction, geometric abstraction uses structured shapes and patterns. It’s both rational and aesthetically driven. Notable figures include Josef Albers and Winfred Gaul. In this form, What is Abstract Art reveals itself through symmetry, repetition, and mathematical beauty.

Color Field Painting
Large, flat areas of color characterize this style, often evoking deep emotional responses despite minimal visual elements. Mark Rothko’s large-scale works are leading examples. What is Abstract Art in color field painting? It is emotional intensity expressed through expansive simplicity.

Above Mark Rothko. No. 3/No. 13, 1949. Oil on canvas

Each of these types of abstraction offers a different answer to the question: What is Abstract Art? Whether through emotion, geometry, concept, or color, abstract art continually redefines itself. Understanding these styles is essential for appreciating how diverse and profound abstract art can be. By exploring them, we deepen our understanding of What is Abstract Art—not just as a movement, but as a broad and evolving visual language.

History of Abstract Art

Art that emphasizes patterns and avoids direct representation has appeared throughout history and across various cultures. However, the first modern artist credited with deliberately creating non-representational art is Wassily Kandinsky. In 1910, he broke from the conventions of figurative art to produce his first untitled abstract watercolor. His shift was sparked by viewing a painting of haystacks by Monet, through which he recognized that color and form could convey meaning and emotion independently—without the need for a recognizable subject.

While some scholars believe that Hilma af Klint may have created the first abstract artwork as early as 1906, her paintings remained largely unknown to the public for decades.

an early depiction of what abstract art is

Despite this, it was Wassily Kandinsky who brought abstract art into the spotlight. In 1912, he published Concerning the Spiritual in Art,

establishing a theoretical framework that helped define what is abstract art for future generations. Kandinsky’s ideas gave shape to the emerging movement, offering one of the earliest answers to the question: what is abstract art? His work encouraged artists to move beyond literal representation and explore spiritual and emotional expression through color and form. Today, when we ask what is abstract art, Kandinsky's legacy plays a key role in shaping our understanding.

Even though af Klint’s contributions are now recognized, Kandinsky’s influence on the mainstream definition of what is abstract art remains foundational. His writings and paintings continue to inform how artists and viewers alike interpret what is abstract art in the modern world

In the early 20th century, artists began exploring new visual languages, giving rise to various forms of abstract art. Piet Mondrian, for instance, introduced geometric abstraction in the 1920s, using clean lines and primary colors.

An early abstract painting by Piet Mondrian

Later, in the 1940s and 1950s, Jackson Pollock developed his iconic drip technique—also known as action painting—which aimed to evoke intense emotional responses through spontaneous movement.

Following World War II, abstract art gained widespread popularity as it offered artists a means to process and express the emotional weight of a world recovering from conflict. In this context, what is abstract art became a question deeply tied to inner experience, trauma, and existential reflection. For many, what is abstract art was not about depicting reality, but about confronting it through emotion, form, and gesture.

What is Abstract Expressionism?
Emerging in New York City during the 1940s, Abstract Expressionism was the first American art movement to achieve international prominence. Known for its intense emotional energy, bold spontaneity, and roots in surrealism, the movement broke away from traditional artistic norms, embracing freedom, chaos, and raw expression.

Key figures who defined this groundbreaking style include:

-Mark Rothko
-Willem de Kooning
-Jackson Pollock
-Jay Meuser

An Abstract painting by Jay Meuser

-Matthew Dibble

An artwork by Matthew Dibble

One of the most iconic pieces from the movement is Willem de Kooning’s Interchange—an abstract landscape that made headlines when it sold for $300 million in 2015, becoming the second most expensive painting ever sold at the time. Purchased by a Chicago hedge fund manager, Interchange is considered highly valuable not only for its artistic innovation but also for its rich provenance, having passed through the hands of notable figures in modern American history.

Above Willem de Kooning’s Interchange

How Has Abstract Art Evolved?
From its origins in the early 20th century, abstract art has played a pivotal role in shaping modern and contemporary art movements. It has influenced styles such as conceptual art and minimalism, expanding the boundaries of artistic expression. Today, it continues to inspire artists who explore form, color, texture, and line—not to depict reality, but to evoke emotion and provoke thought.

Famous abstract paintings of note.

1 Zao Wou-Ki is one of the few Chinese artists whose work achieved international recognition. Born in Beijing, he studied at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou before becoming a member of the prestigious Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In recent years, renewed interest in his abstract paintings has placed him among the greats of modern art. In 2018, his monumental triptych Juin–Octobre 1985 sold for an astonishing $65 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, far exceeding its $45 million estimate.

The work, measuring 280 by 1000 centimeters, is Zao’s largest painting and was commissioned by his close friend, the renowned Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, designer of Singapore’s iconic Raffles City complex. Created during a period when Zao’s artistic vision was fully matured, the triptych bridges Eastern and Western sensibilities, blending Chinese brush techniques with modern abstraction.

Though triptychs are more commonly associated with Western traditions, this record-breaking sale underscores Zao’s place among the giants of Abstract Expressionism, including Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and Barnett Newman. His work prompts a fresh look at what is abstract art, showing that abstraction transcends cultural and geographic boundaries. For those asking what is abstract art, Zao Wou-Ki’s paintings offer a deeply poetic and global answer.

2 "Convergence" (1952) stands as a defining masterpiece in Jackson Pollock’s body of work, capturing the raw intensity and chaotic vitality that epitomize his style. Bursting with explosive colors and layered drips, the painting creates a powerful sense of motion and energy. As one of the landmark pieces of the Abstract Expressionist movement, Convergence exemplifies Pollock’s revolutionary approach—treating the canvas as an arena for action, rather than a surface for traditional composition.

Housed at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York, this iconic work remains a cornerstone of the museum’s collection and a touchstone in the history of modern art. For anyone asking what is abstract art, Convergence offers a visceral answer—showing how form, gesture, and spontaneity can replace representation to express deeper emotional truths. It not only demonstrates Pollock’s dynamic use of color and rhythm but also his pivotal role in redefining what is abstract art for future generations.

3 Mark Rothko is perhaps the most widely recognized figure linked to the Color Field movement—though he adamantly rejected that label, along with most others. Rothko’s work focused almost entirely on color, yet he viewed color not as the end goal but as a means to access a deeper, spiritual experience. Through his paintings, he sought to create a space where both artist and viewer could engage with the profound spectrum of human emotion.

Despite his reliance on color, Rothko regarded it merely as a vehicle for emotional and spiritual resonance. One of his seminal early works, No. 2, Green, Red and Blue (1953), exemplifies this approach. The piece is a precursor to the deeply meditative style that would define his later career, firmly establishing Rothko as a distinctive voice within both abstract art and the realm of transcendent expression.

What makes some abstract paintings so expensive?

Abstract painters of the 21st century

Osnat Tzadok is a self-taught Israeli-born Canadian artist renowned for her vibrant abstract paintings that seamlessly blend emotional depth with modern design. Born in Israel in 1968, she relocated to Canada over two decades ago, where she embarked on her artistic journey in 2001. Her foray into painting was inspired by reading The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, which led her to explore her creative potential and delve into the world of abstract expression. For anyone wondering what is abstract art, her work offers a dynamic and intuitive answer.

Tzadok's artwork is characterized by dynamic color palettes and expressive forms, often created without premeditated plans. She describes her process as entering a state of "flow," allowing her subconscious to guide her creations. This approach results in pieces that resonate with viewers on an emotional level, capturing the essence of abstract expressionism and helping define what is abstract art in contemporary terms.

Her paintings have garnered international attention, appearing in various media and products. Notably, her work has been featured on the set of the television series Prison Break, on Häagen-Dazs ice cream packaging in Asia, and on wine labels for Israel's Ramim Winery. Additionally, her art has adorned book covers, including educational textbooks and spiritual literature—proof of how versatile and far-reaching abstract art can be.

Operating from her home studio in Thornhill, Ontario, Tzadok continues to produce and sell her art globally through her website and platforms like Saatchi Art and Singulart. Her work encompasses a range of styles, including abstract, landscape, floral, and cityscape paintings, all reflecting her commitment to infusing spaces with energy and emotion.

For those interested in exploring or acquiring her art, visit her official website at osnatfineart.com.

Stuart Wright is a British artist renowned for his emotive abstract and landscape paintings. Operating under the brand WrightSonArts, he offers a diverse collection of artworks through his official website,

Above a painting inspired by pollocks early work.

Artistic Journey and Style

With over 25 years of experience, Stuart Wright has developed a distinctive style characterized by rich textures and layered compositions. Primarily self-taught, he honed his skills through continuous exploration and an intuitive connection with his materials. His work often features impasto techniques, utilizing thick applications of acrylic paint to create depth and movement.

Cosmic symphony , one of Stuarts more popular pieces.

Stuart's portfolio includes triptych art, copper wall art, and tree paintings. Triptych art, consisting of three-panel pieces, allows him to explore themes of continuity and movement. His copper wall art pieces bring a sense of depth and warmth, with metallic surfaces that interact with light to create dynamic visual effects.

Inspiration and Themes

Nature serves as a significant inspiration for Stuart's work. He is particularly drawn to rustic buildings, aged textures, and earthy tones that reflect the passage of time. Colors like gold, red, and burnt umber frequently appear in his pieces, capturing the essence of autumnal landscapes

His tree paintings blend abstract elements with recognizable forms, depicting the strength and resilience of trees in various landscapes. Many of these are created in the triptych format, illustrating the cycles of nature and life's ongoing evolution.

Global Reach and Availability

Stuart Wright's art has reached audiences worldwide, with collectors from over 15 countries, including private individuals, banks, and showrooms, adding his pieces to their collections. His artworks are available for purchase through multiple platforms, including his official website wrightsonarts.com, as well as online galleries like Artfinder and Fine Art America

For those interested in acquiring unique, expressive artworks that capture the beauty of nature and the depth of human emotion, Stuart Wright's paintings offer a compelling choice.

Where to Find Abstract Art

Whether you're a seasoned art lover or just beginning to explore what is abstract art, there are countless places—both traditional and unexpected—where you can experience it up close.

🖼️ Museums & Galleries

World-renowned museums are the most traditional places to view historic and contemporary abstract art. Institutions such as:

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York
Tate Modern in London
Centre Pompidou in Paris
Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and New York

all offer some of the best collections of abstract art in the world. These are ideal for understanding of what is abstract art from a historical and academic perspective, showcasing pioneers like Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Kandinsky.

🍻 Art-Friendly Pubs and Cafés

Increasingly, local pubs and cafés are doubling as art spaces. Many feature rotating exhibits of work by local artists, including abstract painters. This trend has become especially popular in creative cities like:

Bristol – pubs like The Gallimaufry and Crofters Rights display contemporary art on their walls.
London – look out for pubs in Hackney or Peckham that regularly host local exhibitions.
Glasgow – The Old Hairdresser’s is a hybrid bar, gallery, and event space.

These venues give people a chance to discover what is abstract art in relaxed, accessible environments—no ticket required.

There are also museum cafes in england, where you can have a drink and be immersed in art, a list can be seen here

🧑🎨 Local Art Fairs & Pop-Ups

Art fairs and pop-up galleries are great places to explore emerging talent. You can often speak directly with the artists and get a real sense of how they interpret what is abstract art through their use of texture, color, and space.

Look for events like:

The Affordable Art Fair (held in cities worldwide)
Frieze Art Fair
Local maker markets or first-Friday gallery walks

💻 Online Platforms

If you can’t visit in person, platforms like Artsy, Saatchi Art, and Singulart let you browse and purchase abstract art from artists around the globe. These platforms often include artist interviews and process videos—useful for those still wondering what is abstract art in a modern context.

🏡 Home Decor Stores and Studios

Finally, don’t overlook upscale furniture stores, interior design studios, and even Airbnb locations. Many now feature original abstract works, blurring the line between functional space and art exhibition.