Understanding abstract art is easy: all it requires is an open mind and a huge imagination.
One of the most common reactions to abstract art is along the lines of “A six-year-old could’ve done that”. And the usual response by artists is to say the person lacks the mental ability to appreciate abstract art.
So what does it mean
to appreciate art?
When you look at the painting on the left, what do you see?
Paint smudges, an array of colourful patterns… A glowing city skyline by the lake… or maybe you see pure energy and cosmic flow?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question, that’s the beauty of abstract art.
“You see what you want to see”
- Begin
“Everyone wants to understand art. Why not try to understand the song of a bird? …people who try to explain pictures are usually barking up the wrong tree.”
-Pablo Picasso
Picasso has a point. Art can’t be explained adequately in words, because it’s influence on people is so personal and speaks to the nonverbal parts of our existence. Therefore, art is an experience. You must let go of your need to put things into words, and let the artwork take you somewhere… Somewhere words can’t explain.
You have to ‘understand’ abstract art with a different part of you, one that you may not normally use or be familiar with.
Essentially, you must accept that it is what it is. Don’t try to pinpoint an exact meaning for an image.
- Reading
With a basic idea of abstract art, you can apply a thought to every painting you see — so when you’re faced with a “what the heck am I looking at” piece, you’ll know where to begin.
When looking at any artwork, most people’s first question tends to be “What is this about?” That’s a good place to start, but it won’t take you very far when looking at an abstract work — unless you’re willing to think more creatively. With abstract painting, the piece can be “about” the paint on the canvas, as with Abstract Expressionism; it can be “about” the process of painting for an artist personally.
Does the painting convey a mood-state or atmosphere? What does it prompt you to think about? Are you confronted with a particular color or shape? How does what you’re looking at make you feel? These are all sure-fire points of excavation: begin with asking yourself these kinds of questions and you’ll find the answers a lot less mysterious.
- Understanding
When applying these analytical methods to taking in art, lingering doubts about certainty and “doing it right” may surface. At times like these, a little research can always be helpful, even if that just means reading the descriptions of a piece on a museum wall. It can be so interesting to know the artist’s or curator’s ideas behind a piece. Be careful, however, of over-doing it with the descriptions: don’t fall into the trap of believing that you need to do more reading than obvserving. Trying to filter what you see through what you know can be a rewarding experience, but it is one that can begin to inhibit your true appreciation of a piece if you let it.
Another important thing to remember when trying to understand abstract art is that you are always in dialogue with the piece by virtue of being its viewer. The artist has probably carefully considered your role as the viewer of the painting and wants it to speak to you on some level. So you don’t have to feel like you’re solving a mystery that has one correct answer! Artists are often delight to hear what different viewers uncover in dialogue with their artwork, even if it’s nowhere near the artist’s intent.
If a piece just doesn’t speak to you, that’s ok. It’s probably not for you.
Take it all in
Rather than trying to figure out what the painting looks like, just allow yourself to be taken in by the painting. See what emotions, sensations or memories emerge. Let your eyes relax and travel around the piece without expectation. Examine the colors, forms, materials, surface, and how they interact with each other. Take your time. Let the painting “speak” to you.
With this crash course, you have the tools to explore abstract art and discover what you love. As with almost everything relating to art, the most important thing to remember is to have fun and not to worry about whether you know what you’re supposed to. If you find yourself drawn to abstract pieces, trust your instincts and the rest will follow:
becoming educated about something you’re interested in can become a hobby unto its own!
Have a great week!
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