Abstract Paintings
Pablo Picasso’s Cubism, Basquiat’s rebellious urban landscapes, and
Salvador Dali’s twisted surrealism all demonstrate extreme
representations of abstract painting. These paintings don’t represent
actual objects in the world so much as they connote emotions, psychic
impressions, and reflections. While arguably the most import abstract
painters flourished during the 20th century, anti-representationalism
was flourishing well before that.
From the nihilim depicted by the surrealist art of Salvador Dali,
Tanguy, and others to the Abstract impressionism of Jackson Pollock,
Philip Gustin, and Mark Rothko to the more modern ironic work of the
Pop Artists, the 20th century has witnessed incredible seismic changes
in art. What’s most fascinating is how these changes reflect evolving
social mores and political movements.
Prior to the 20th century, before the flourishing of abstract painting,
western nations held their populations under a significant degree of
sway. Even in so-called free states, like the democracies of France and
the Unites States, individuals weren’t encouraged to express
themselves. The collective was more important than the individual,
despite the fact that such iconic figures as Davy Crockett and Lewis
& Clark captured the romantic imaginations of a spirited people
everywhere.
Abstract painting and art in general reflected a departure from this
collectivist representational thinking. It shattered the mold in more
ways than one. Abstract art has also proven extremely useful for
expressing complex or politically inappropriate sentiments. For
instance, the modern abstract works of Basquiat and the musical group
Radiohead reflect a growing exasperation at the impotence of attempts
to curb the proliferation of harmful technologies.
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