Abstract Art

Abstract art uses a visual language of shape, form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world. Western art had been, from the Renaissance up to the middle of the 19th century, underpinned by the logic of perspective and an attempt to reproduce an illusion of visible reality. The arts of cultures other than the European had become accessible and showed alternative ways of describing visual experience to the artist. By the end of the 19th century many artists felt a need to create a new kind of art which would encompass the fundamental changes taking place in technology, science and philosophy. The sources from which individual artists drew their theoretical arguments were diverse, and reflected the social and intellectual preoccupations in all areas of Western culture at that time.

Abstract art, nonfigurative art, nonobjective art, and nonrepresentational art are loosely related terms. They are similar, but perhaps not of identical meaning.

Abstraction indicates a departure from reality in depiction of imagery in art. This departure from accurate representation can be slight, partial, or complete. Abstraction exists along a continuum. Even art that aims for verisimilitude of the highest degree can be said to be abstract, at least theoretically, since perfect representation is likely to be exceedingly elusive. Artwork which takes liberties, altering for instance color and form in ways that are conspicuous, can be said to be partially abstract.

Best artists in this genre:

• Jill Krasner
• Gary Reed
• Albert Hower

Instructor for this class

Steven Ayokee – Owner/Head Instructor

Favorite painting style: art deco

Steven Ayokee is a talented artist and illustrator based in New York City. He brings his encouraging teaching style, his soothing spirit and his passion for art to each of his students at The Art Studio NY. Due to Garold’s success with his traditional artistic training, Jake shares his innate artistic talents, his artistic training and his teaching expertise in all of his classes in the art studio. Particularly passionate about drawing and illustration, he describes his art as the following: “I create drawings that utilize my interest in line and composition to explore a personal subject matter shaped by memories and life experiences. The drawings deal with an American, and more broadly, human narrative that is left to be digested and understood by the imagination of the viewer. The result is a drawing that is both realistically rendered, but also an illusion created from line”. Garold has a wide variety of artistic teaching experience. His love of teaching has led him to instruct art classes for every age from pre-school children to senior citizens.