Abstract at Alfies

Abstract Art is one of the most popular and enduring art movements with many gravitating towards the style for the space away from reality that it provides. Whilst abstract styles can be seen in some of the world's earliest cultures, the movement started to gain popularity in the 19th Century, with the 20th Century being considered its peak and producing many of the artists and works we associate with the art form today.

Whilst the departure from reality that this style of art often depicts can be slight, partial or total, the movement can generally be characterised by a few key traits. Firstly, abstract art makes no attempt to represent reality. Objects, figures and landscapes are usually simplified. Colour and form are often explored. Some reoccurring themes are block colours, geometric shapes, and use of texture. Abstract art has often been defined as artists painting what they feel as opposed to what they see.

Wassily Kandinsky is generally credited with painting one of the first recognised completely abstract works, and is still considered one of the movement's leading artists to this day. Just a few popular artists that are considered to be leaders within this style are Jackson Pollock, Piet Mondrian, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning and Robert Delaunay.

With a large variety of art to be seen around Alfies, we knew there would be some interesting abstract pieces on offer. Here are just a few of our favourite:

'Running Man' painting, oil on board, 1980s. Available from Robert McKoy Fine Arts

A Joseph Weiss signed painting with Hebrew inscription on the back, oil on canvas, 1950s. Available from i Fine & Contemporary Art

'Large Abstract Study' painting by Derrick Latimer Sayer, mixed media on paper, contemporary. Available from Thomas Fine Art

A Portrait by Steve McCahn (student of Leon Kossoff), oil on canvas, contemporary. Available from Diplomat Treasure International

'Sylvette' a lithograph signed by Picasso, 1954. Authenticated by Bonhams. Available from i Fine & Contemporary Art

Abstract painting of a stained glass window, watercolour, 1980s. Available from Robert McKoy Fine Arts

Abstract art in Alfies

Art is a great way to add some of your own personality to an interior. Choosing the right accessories to go with an interior is as important as choosing the colour of the walls.So when looking for a unique work of art for any space, keep in mind that we have some great pieces at Alfies that must be seen. For this blog I am looking specifically at abstract art.

Abstract art uses a visual language of form, colour and line to create a composition which, to a certain degree doesn't represent our own visual references. It indicates a departure from reality, this can be slight, partial or complete. There are a few famous examples of abstract artists. One of the first ones was Kandinsky,(born 1866-1944) he created the first completely abstract work of art, a watercolour without any reference to reality.

Untitled (First Abstract Watercolor). 1910 (1913). Pencil, watercolor and ink on paper.

In Alfies I found some special pieces, this is a great examples of abstract art from Bent Ply,(F40-45)

John Lancaster c.1960's

The picture below comes from Peran Dachinger's Fine Art located on the first floor (F20)

Richard Ott, Mixed media on wood

Another very famous abstract artist is Jackson Pollack. Paul Jackson Pollock was a very influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionism movement. In the process of making his works of art he moved away from figurative representation completly. He used paint pouring as one of his unusual techniques and painted with his canvases laid out on the floor, developing what was called the 'drip' technique, see picture below.

The painting below from Bent Ply, resembles Pollacks chaotic style and would make a very bold statement in any room. The colours are very striking!

Cubism, one of the first abstract styles, began in the early 1900's. The cubists tried to create a new way of seeing things in art, many of their subjects were represented as a combination of geometric shapes. Because of this cubist pictures are often described as looking like pieces of fractured glass. This picture from Peran Dachinger's Fine Art is very cubist in style.

K. Sancto 1963

Oil on board 1940, artist unknown

The above painting is from Dimech (F046-49). The colours are very dark and subtle.

Lastly is my personal favourite, this is only partially abstract as there are some recognisable figures in the painting, but the lines are really fine and delicate contrasting with the childlike scribbles. A really great painting, from Hungarian artist Antonyi, also from Dimech

Art is all about personal taste and choosing the right painting can be a very rewarding experience.