abstractionism
Art without depiction
Abstractionism is the practice or theory of creating abstract art—work that doesn't attempt to represent external reality but instead uses shapes, colors, and forms for their own sake.
The term can describe both a movement in visual arts and the philosophical principle behind it: that art need not depict recognizable objects.
The gallery's collection traces abstractionism from Kandinsky to the present.
Not depicting reality
- expressionismDistorting reality for emotion
- cubismGeometric, fragmented visual style
- KandinskyBauhaus painting instructor
- MondrianDutch abstract grid artist
Pollock · suprematism · dadaism · surrealism · biomorphic · lyrical · nonobjective · gestural
Relating to mathematical shapes
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
- simplicityLack of complexity
- monochromeSingle-color rendering
- reductionMaking something smaller
sparse · unadorned · subtle · understated · elemental · stark · purity · restraint
Innovative cultural pioneers
- experimentalTesting new methods
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
nontraditional · radical · boundary-pushing · modernist · progressive · visionary · groundbreaking · departure
Philosophy of existence's nature
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- idealismBelief in noble principles
- phenomenologyStudy of subjective experience
rationalism · ideation · conceptualization · generalization · immateriality · intangibility · transcendental · essence
nonrepresentational
Not depicting reality
- expressionismDistorting reality for emotion
- cubismGeometric, fragmented visual style
- KandinskyBauhaus painting instructor
Mondrian · Pollock · suprematism · dadaism · surrealism · biomorphic · lyrical · nonobjective · gestural · hard-edge
geometric
Relating to mathematical shapes
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
- simplicityLack of complexity
- monochromeSingle-color rendering
reduction · sparse · unadorned · subtle · understated · elemental · stark · purity · restraint · economy
avant-garde
Innovative cultural pioneers
- experimentalTesting new methods
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
revolutionary · nontraditional · radical · boundary-pushing · modernist · progressive · visionary · groundbreaking · departure · rejection
metaphysics
Philosophy of existence's nature
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- idealismBelief in noble principles
phenomenology · rationalism · ideation · conceptualization · generalization · immateriality · intangibility · transcendental · essence · universals
abstractionismrealism
Accepting things as they are
figurative art · naturalism · photorealism · hyperrealism · mimesis
abstractionismnaturalism
Worldview excluding the supernatural
objectivism · literalism · social realism · materialism · empiricism