I always wonder about the term abstract. What is abstract? What defines abstract in the world of art? Does abstract mean deriving meaning out of a few lines sketched onto the paper or is it something that moves away from the figures that we have been seeing on paper since a long time, moving away from reality? Abstract art to me is a reality that comes out from the subconscious trying to hide what it actually wants to say.

Is abstract art dying? Nothing in art actually dies; it is there just dormant momentarily. Moreover, as long as reality is there, abstract art is here to stay. There are so many abstract paintings that have reflected reality, artist’s individual experience, and the inner dilemma that many of us are unable to express otherwise. Abstract art is a form, a colour and a composition of imagination on paper. Abstract art that we see today is the exploration that is being influenced by the western artists. That is where it is harmful for any artist. There is a need to explore more within and in our country where there is so much scope for abstract art.

Abstract art was criticized for a long time because many artists plunged into it without really understanding the very basics of the abstraction. Artists who were into spiritualism or in mysticism painted abstract art without knowing and realizing what they are actually painting Many artists have no idea of the philosophy of abstract art. Hence abstract art, even though it is abstract in nature, has some foundations and only after one has seen and studied great works of art for ages, will one know what abstract art is all about.

Art manifests itself in many attractive forms and none of them more appealing than abstract art. This form of art has its own incomparable beauty and that’s precisely the reason, it’s popular as well as difficult to produce with normal frequency. One of the main features of this art form is it can have many interpretations. We all interpret abstract painting in our own way and all of them are justified. Creating abstract painting is no mean task and it requires talent, class and heightened sensitivity. If one has a poetic bend of mind then that further adds to the overall class of the work.

Contemporary abstract art works are hugely popular all across the world. India is not lagging behind in this aspect. Abstract art in India has kept on scaling new heights in recent years. The buyers of art works have also shown increasing interest in the abstract paintings. In fact, all the countries are witnessing a gradual increase in sales figure of abstract works. From India’s point of view, abstract artists have slowly started to gain prominence in the world of rat. The less numbers of artists enjoy exclusivity. Indian artists have made quite a fan following for themselves in developed parts of the world.

The core of abstract art is its being non-objective. It’s not related to anything or anyone. It has its own uniqueness and it does not look like any other work. In other words, abstract art has no recognizable subject and yet everyone will have different interpretations. More than the subject matter, the theme and color hold the center stage in abstract art.

Worldwide, the legends of abstract art boast of names like, Arthur Dove, Piet Mondrian, Robert Delaunay, Wassily Kandinsky and Balla etc. The famous Indian abstract painters include, Raza, Gaitonde and Swaminathan to name a few, whereas in recent times artists like Kishor Sinde, Manish Pushkale, Sujata Bajaj etc have made a name for themselves.

Image Courtesy:- hyphenmagazine.com