Representational, Abstract, and Non-Representational Art

Representational art can depict figures, landscapes, still lives, etc.  Abstract art depicts the same subjects, but utilizes strategies like flattening, distortion, exaggeration, simplification, unrealistic colors, etc. in order to emphasize a message or simply fit within the artist's style.  Non-representational or non-figurative art, on the other hand, supposedly does not have a concrete subject.  I have a hard time identifying non-representational art, because like many people, I have the tendency to find subjects in art whether the artist had one in mind or not.   

"Woman with Black Cat," Pablo Picasso

Picasso's "Woman with Black Cat" is an example of representational art.  While he uses a moody, almost monochromatic blue-black color scheme, he also uses a highly realistic style to represent this woman and her cat. 

"Moonlit Night," Emil Nolde

Emil Nolde's work, "Moonlit Night," is representational art.  It clearly represents a boat on a body of water with moonlight shining down.  However, it also constitutes as abstract.  Nolde uses distortion, flattening and simplification to represent his work, as well as exaggerated color.

"Tree," Piet Mondrian

Piet Mondrian's "Tree" (one of many) is abstract art.  Simplification is used to the extreme by turning the tree into geometric shapes, until it is nearly unrecognizable.  He also uses flattening and unrealistic colors to depict the tree.  While this painting may not be as obvious as Nolde's "Moonlit Night," it is also representational art.  A trained eye is able to see the tree, despite Mondrian's abstractions.

"Vision 2," Jan Sirks

Jan Sirks' esoteric paintings, such as "Vision 2," constitutes non-representational art.  It does not attempt to paint a figure, but rather, the visions in Sirks' minds.  When I look at this painting, however, I can't help but see a golden hand, or a fiery tidal wave, or a Viking ship.  While the painting subject is up for interpretation, it is still figurative for me, even if it was not figurative for the artist.  This is my trouble with non-representational art.

Acyrlic Pour, by Christine Purdy

Christine Purdy's acrylic pour painting above is another example of non-representational art.  Poured paintings are a strong example in general, as they tend to be experimental.  Many pour artists like to let the paint do what it will.  They celebrate the accidents that more traditional artists would curse.  I see great beauty in Purdy's painting, although I am generally not a fan of pour paintings.  If I look at the painting long enough, I will create some sort of landscape or story.  However, I believe Purdy's purpose here was to make art for art's sake.  Of course, she also sold this painting for a profit.

I tend to gravitate towards representational art that is somewhat abstract in nature.  I prefer to work more on the realistic side of the spectrum for now. 

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