Abstract art, design, and architecture can be found everywhere – it is all around us, and because of the unlimited ways it can be explored, it is understandable why this popular genre has formed a major part of a lot of artistic practices today.
The employment of abstract techniques has enabled artists to explore and represent their personal thoughts and feelings without the need for direct representation. Abstraction paved the way for artistic freedom, where anything from spirituality, materiality, to psychological and mental states, could be explored through the imaginative application of color, line, and form.
The popularity and attraction of abstract art is largely due to the fact that it is an incredibly versatile genre that continues to evolve till this day. With the rise of technology, social media, digital applications, and tools, we are already seeing abstract art developing and taking new shape.
Why Collect Abstract Art?
Abstract art makes wonderful additions to any collection for their timelessness and infinite appeal. Abstract works are great alternatives to figurative and more representational pieces that may directly allude to a specific narrative. What makes abstract art so versatile is that it is open to interpretation, and at the same time can be extremely meaningful and emotive.
What are the Qualities of Good Abstract Art?
When in search for the perfect abstract art, there are a few essential factors that you need to take into consideration to ensure that you are selecting a work of impeccable quality. Not only is it important to collect work that is visually appealing to you, but there are other more technical elements to look out for before making that decisive purchase.
Art is very subjective, but there is such a thing as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ art. When browsing through abstract artworks, quite often the ‘representational’ elements and subject matter of the piece rest in the application of materials and the formal qualities of the work. Hence, it is vital to take into consideration the Colors used by the artists. The use of complimentary colors that enhance each other is extremely important, it showcases the mastery and technical ability of the artist.
Skill and technique are integral when examining a good abstract work. These tend to be highlighted in the textures, both visually and physically in the piece. Dimensionality, layering, thick impastos, skilled brushwork quite often create striking and visually alluring works. Paying attention to the splatters, the markings, the composition, and the movement and flow all add to the uniqueness of the work.
Perhaps the most important quality in good abstract art is the culmination of all visual elements that evokes a certain emotion from the viewer. Think about how the work makes you feel, does the work have some form of meaning behind it? A work is worth investing in when you can see the artist’s personality in the piece and makes you feel something – it does not matter if it is positive or negative. Good abstract art should have affective effects upon the viewer.
