Retrospectives on Yayoi Kusama often point to mental illness as the source of her inspiration. But before she made it big, she was a young girl inspired by traveling the world for the first time.
Articles on Abstract art
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The major retrospective – the first to be held since Eric Smith’s death in 2017 – includes his earlier religious works, as well as later abstract masterpieces.
This new pocket-sized book is an excellent place to begin an education about the women who have contributed to the history of western art.
Cristobal Balenciaga’s work developed alongside abstract artistic movements, which had a profound influence on his designs.
Jane Harris eschewed the fashionable 1990s London art scene and retreated to rural France where she experimented quietly with shape and colour.
Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944) was a pioneer of abstract art. His paintings have not aged and appear contemporary and relevant to us now.
His work can only be fully understood by observing the shared traditions of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The work of the Swedish artist Hilma af Klimt is considered the first manifestation of abstraction. But it has not always been part of the artistic canon. Even she believed that she painted something too advanced for her time.
The master of abstract art proved that black ‘township artists’ from South Africa could become leaders of international styles.
The once secret paintings of Hilma af Klint are a revelation both for their beauty and for highlighting the impact of spiritualism on how artists see the world.
Some classic tales about the way artists can mess with your mind.
As the animated film ‘Bambi’ celebrates its 75th anniversary, a reminder that humans often try to express reality. But once they do, they go back to making art.
Top contributors
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Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
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Profesora de Historia del Arte, Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
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Lecturer in Fine Art, Manchester Metropolitan University
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Associate Professor in Modern and Contemporary Art History, Department of History of Art & Architecture, Trinity College Dublin
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Adjunct Professor of Art History, Australian National University
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Joanna Mendelssohn is a Friend of The Conversation.
Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Culture and Communication, The University of Melbourne
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Senior research associate, University of Cambridge
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Honorary Research Associate at Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town
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Nancy and Robert J. Carney Postdoctoral Associate in Art History, Rice University
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Profesora del Grado en Diseño y del Grado en Estudios de Arquitectura de la ETSAUN y del Programa Internacional en Comunicación de Moda de FCOM, Universidad de Navarra
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Professor in Screen Media and Creative Arts, Macquarie University
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Ph.D. Candidate in Art History, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences