Abstract Expressionism Stylistic Features

In many paintings under the movement of abstract expressionism an expression of reality is expressed in a non representational statement with line colour and size as well as the aggressive mingling of colours shapes and forms that creates a painting of pure thought and emotion. In simple terms the abstract expressionism movement encompassed two broad groupings. Abstract expressionism is best known for large scale paintings that break away from traditional processes often taking the canvas off of the easel and using unconventional materials such as house paint.

Abstract expressionist paintings share certain characteristics including the use of large canvases an all over approach in which the whole canvas is treated with equal importance as opposed to the center being of more interest than the edges.

Abstract expressionism stylistic features. In 20th century this trend manifested in biomorphic organic abstractions of kandinsky and surrealists and in geometric elementary abstractions of malevich and constructivists. Abstract expressionism was the first internationally celebrated art style to emerge from the american art scene and while some people hated it others championed it as an expression of american. Abstract expressionism as a style resumes the trend of rejecting representation in the art. 1 the so called action painters such as jackson pollock and willem de kooning who focused on an intensely expressive style of gestural painting.

And 2 the more passive colour field painters notably mark rothko barnett newman and clyfford still who. Although abstract expressionism spread quickly throughout the united states the major centers of this style were new york city and california especially in the new york school and the san francisco bay area. The middle ground within abstract expressionism is represented by several varied styles ranging from the more lyrical delicate imagery and fluid shapes in paintings by guston and frankenthaler to the more clearly structured forceful almost calligraphic pictures of motherwell and gottlieb.