Nowadays Artist

Gerhard Richter

Indeed, you may have already surmised. Leading the lineup is Gerhard Richter, born in 1932 in Dresden, Germany, and currently based in Cologne, Germany. While Richter isn’t presently engaged in crafting his hallmark monumental abstract canvases using sizable squeegees rather than brushes, the German maestro persists in his artistic endeavors, focusing on paper as his canvas. This dedication ensures his enduring eminence, popularity, and relevance within the realm of abstract art and beyond.

Renowned as one of the foremost artists of both the 20th and 21st centuries, Gerhard Richter has consistently pushed the boundaries of abstract and figurative art. His extensive oeuvre encompasses photo-inspired paintings, glass installations, and abstract compositions known for their intricate interplay of color and texture. Constantly exploring the essence of painting itself, he fearlessly adopts various styles, techniques, and subjects. Richter’s retrospectives at prestigious venues like the Tate Modern and the Museum of Modern Art have underscored his unmatched ability to probe the essence of image creation and the possibilities inherent in paint. It’s a tribute to the art of painting and, as this article aims to emphasize, a tribute to contemporary abstract expression.”

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese contemporary artist, was born in 1929 in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan, and presently calls Tokyo home. Her fame stems from a remarkable array of works, including her vibrant infinity rooms, whimsical pumpkin sculptures, polka dot paintings, and ingenious combinations thereof.

Engaging in sculpture, installation, contemporary painting, film, performance, and even fashion, Kusama translates her distinct visual language across a diverse range of artistic mediums. Today, she stands as one of the most influential figures in the contemporary art world. Attempting to classify Kusama’s body of work reveals a tapestry of influences, spanning Conceptual Art, Minimalism, Pop Art, Performance Art, Feminist Art, and even Abstract Expressionism.

Kusama initially studied Nihonga painting in Japan, infusing elements of traditional Japanese art into the global art scene. Drawn by the promise of an experimental postwar art milieu, she relocated to New York City in 1958. It was here that Kusama unearthed many of her signature motifs, including her ‘Net’ paintings, iconic polka dots, and the fusion of figurative imagery with minimal abstraction, resulting in mesmerizing organic patterns.

Returning to Japan in the 1970s, Kusama expanded upon her earlier themes, culminating in the creation of her awe-inspiring infinity rooms and public sculptures. As the new millennium dawned, she continued to revisit and re-examine her earliest inspirations, delving into psychological realms and infusing autobiographical elements into her internationally acclaimed body of work.

Franz Kline

Franz Kline, known for his monochromatic palette and his large, bold abstract compositions, showed me the power of simplicity and the impact of scale. His works, often a study in contrasts, demonstrated how limitations in color and form do not have to restrict the expressive possibilities of an artwork.

Sean Scully

Sean Scully, born in 1945 in Dublin, Ireland, splits his time between New York, USA, and Munich, Germany. His artistry, renowned for its profound emotional resonance, utilizes color, pattern, and texture to conjure landscapes, memories, and emotions. Through his abstract creations, characterized by bold stripes and blocks of color, Scully delves deep into the material essence of painting.

His palette often juxtaposes earthy hues reminiscent of the natural world with vibrant tones that infuse his compositions with dynamic vitality. Scully’s illustrious exhibitions at esteemed venues such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery in London have firmly established him as a preeminent figure in contemporary abstraction.

em de Kooning

Willem de Kooning, with his powerful and expressive brushstrokes, emphasized the importance of emotion in art. His ability to use form and color in ways that are both harmonious and conflictual inspired me to freely explore and express my own emotions through my work.

Theaster Gates

Born in 1973 in Chicago, USA, where he continues to reside and work, Theaster Gates defies conventional artistic boundaries, using his practice to delve into themes of urban revitalization, community engagement, and social activism. Beyond painting, Gates explores pottery, sculpture, and performance art.

His painting style revolves around minimalist compositions, often incorporating unconventional materials like metal or construction supplies. Gates is celebrated for his talent in transforming spaces and objects imbued with historical and cultural significance, as exemplified by projects such as the Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago. With exhibitions showcased at renowned institutions like the Tate Modern and Documenta, Gates has solidified his standing as a pioneering force in contemporary art, particularly in the realm of abstract painting.

mbly

With his characteristic scribbles and doodles, taught me that art doesn’t always have to be about perfection. His work, often reminiscent of children’s drawings, brought me to the realization that expression can be more important than technical skill. This inspired me to work more freely, to let go of control, and to see where the moment and the movement of the pencil or brush would take me.

Navid Nuur

Navid Nuur (b. 1976, Tehran) lives and works in The Hague. He started out as a graphic designer and illustrator, but around ten years ago decided to move into autonomous work, and quickly became a rising star in the international art world. He has had one-man shows at the Marta Herford Museum in in Herford, Germany, at Centre Pompidou in Paris, Parasol Unit in London and the Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht. Nuur has received the Volkskrant Art Prize (2010), the Charlotte Köhler Prize (2010), the Royal Award for Modern Painting (2011) and the Discoveries Prize at Art Basel in Hong Kong (2013) for his work.

Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko, whose work is characterized by large fields of color that seem to float on the canvas, taught me about the emotional depth that can be achieved with subtle transitions and the interplay between colors. Rothko’s paintings, often seen as gateways to a deeper, meditative experience, inspired me to experiment with color and to discover how abstract compositions can evoke a profound emotional resonance.

Artists who have inspired me

Abstract art has always occupied a special place in the realm of visual arts, a domain where the subjective expression and inner experiences of the artist stand at the forefront. My journey through abstract art began when I found inspiration in some of the most influential figures in this field: Cy Twombly, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, and Mark Rothko. Each of these artists has uniquely contributed to the development of abstract art, and their works have deeply impressed me, fundamentally changing the way I approach art.

Back in the days

Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock introduced me to the world of drip painting, a technique that elevates abstraction to an entirely new level. His energetic and dynamic works, full of motion and rhythm, invited me to reconsider the conventional approach to the canvas and brushwork. Pollock taught me that the act of painting itself is as important as the final result.

The esteemed American abstract artist, is primarily renowned for his colorful swirly drip paintings. Throughout his career, he graced the cover of Life Magazine and showcased at the Venice Biennale in 1948. Some of his most famous works include “Mural” (1943), commissioned by Peggy Guggenheim for her New York townhouse, “The She-Wolf” (1943), housed at MoMA, and “Number 5” (1948), which sold for a record-breaking $140 million at a 2006 auction https://www.jackson-pollock.org