Although abstract art is usually undefined, there are three major types that all works ofthem can be classed as. Those classes are believed to be abstract expressionism,neoplasticism and cubism.

Although this type of art has no form, there are severalwell-known artists that helped define foundations or benchmarks for the medium. Picassois often credited with defining cubism, which presented a new innovative technique of self expression to be displayed throughout the artistic community.

Where the ever-popular Jackson Pollock is know to be the most widely noted creative minds for the abstract expressionism movement, which is known to be one of the more radical forms in this category of art.

There are also multiple periods within the medium. In its present form, it is commonly believed that abstracts first gained momentum at the turn of the 20th century. The evolution of this self-expressive technique, into the newly discovered Neo-plasticism, occurred in the 1920s and lasted through the 1940s.

Which did not last for long once the movement had transformed into a new innovative painting style, known commonly as abstract expressionism, and that lasted until 1955. This then evolved into hyperrealism through 1975, and then that moved to neo-expressionism.

The abstract expressionism led by Jackson Pollock in the 1950s became a defining time when discussing the history of abstract art. Pollock recognized that there were other ways to paint than in front of the easel.

Pushing the limits, Pollock used the floor, raw canvas, industrial materials, as well as painting, dripping, drawing and staining, as opposed to using brush strokes. Just as Picasso is credited with ?inventing?

A unique form of painting and sculpture through the use of cubism, Pollock moved the way art was made, created and presented. From the time of Pollock and his freeing of boundaries, the limits on the methods of producing art continues to be pushed, almost in a flood-like
fashion. The modern art forms are far more diverse.

The present post-modernism started in the 70?s, and artists are still working within this form. These may include the elements of collage, use of a central theme and simplification.

Sometimes there is the use of textual elements, and at times there is the use of pop culture within this art. There now can be some recognition of items.

As abstract art moves into the 21st century the rules now seem to be that there are no rules. There is no agreement among contemporary abstract artists.

This is not required,and it allows art to be far less restrictive in its presentation. However, although it seems to be the opposite of abstract, the lack of rules can be argued to have created a
glut of artwork.

Additionally the movement also has other factors to now contend with, which includes the introduction of digital and computer art. This will also need to be classed within the medium, but there are many challenges within the abstract art world to stay true to abstract, but applying enough rules to make it flow while keeping it recognizable.

Author Bio: Betz Gallery is an expert in Giclee and abstract paintings and prints and reproductions

Category: Arts and Crafts
Keywords: abstract painting, giclee, fine art, impressionist, reproductions