Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Abstract Imagists

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

Abstract Imagists is a term derived from a 1961 exhibition in the Guggenheim Museum, New York called American Abstract Expressionists and Imagists. This exhibition was the first in the series of programs for the investigation of tendencies in American and European painting and sculpture.

Contents

Style

It had been recognized that the paintings of Josef Albers, Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko, Adolph Gottlieb, Ad Reinhardt, Clyfford Still and Robert Motherwell were all very different yet the symbolic content was achieved "through dramatic statement of isolated and highly simplified elements." In many cases the dramatic simplification was achieved by the use of:

  • geometric means: Josef Albers; Franz Kline; Hans Hofmann
  • compression: Grace Hartigan; George McNeil
  • intricate elaboration of canvas surfaces: Richard Pousette-Dart; Robert Richenburg; John Ferren; Jimmy Ernst;
  • isolated shapes or signs: Adolph Gottlieb, Robert Motherwell
  • detailed over-all patterning of the canvas: William Baziotes
  • simplified structure through the dominance of the large, unified color shapes: James Brooks, Esteban Vicente, Adja Yunkers, Cameron Booth; Giorgio Cavallon

    • In some cases there was a "loss of the feeling and immediacy" in the work.

    Some other Abstract Imagists

  • Perle Fine (1908–1988)
  • Ilse Getz (1917–1992)
  • Rollin Crampton (1896–1970)
  • Robert Goodnough (1917- )
  • David Hare (1917–1992)
  • Buffie Johnson (1912–2006)
  • William King (1925-)
  • Gabriel Kohn (1910–1975)
  • George Ortman (1926-)
  • James Rosati, (1911–1988)
  • Action painting
  • Abstract expressionism
  • New York School
  • Color field painting
  • Hard-edge painting
  • Minimalism
  • All-over painting
  • Pattern and Decoration

    • References

    Abstract Imagists Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA