Abstract Art

Abstract art is always rooted in experience of the real world.’ So begins Pepe Karmel’s bold exploration of the origins and evolution of abstract art. Traditional histories have focused on formal innovations and a core group of European and North American artists, often treating abstraction as a series of ‘isms’ detached from real-world experience. Karmel moves beyond established movements, shifting attention to subject matter and content rather than solely colour and form. Taking a global perspective, he explores how artists have used abstract imagery to convey personal, social and political experiences. This wide-ranging study foregoes standard chronology to explore themes as diverse as bodies, landscapes, cosmologies, architectures and signs. Alongside detailed analysis of established figures including Piet Mondrian, Hilma af Klint, Jackson Pollock and Anni Albers, Karmel highlights lesser-known artists such as Wu Guanzhong, Laura Lim and Odili Donald Odita, offering a truly inclusive view of abstract art.