Abstract art has been a significant form of expressionism throughout history. Artists from various parts of the world have used different styles, colors, and expressive techniques to convey their artistic visions on canvas. Following World War II, the Western art center shifted to New York City, making the United States a hub for a new artistic movement known as abstract expressionism. This movement had a profound impact on artists globally. This collaborative image essay explores significant abstract pieces of work created from the early twentieth century to mid twentieth century, including a contemporary example of how abstraction continues to operate as a mode of expression.

Kazimir Malevich
by Kristian Nolden

Malevich's work is renowned for its "supremacy of pure feeling or perception in the pictorial arts." He developed a style known as Suprematism which had a profound impact on the history of art. During his early life in the Russian Empire, Malevich spent most of his time growing up in villages in Ukraine. His father and family traveled extensively in search of jobs, and Malevich began working in sugar factories and railway constructions. As time passed, he not only learned to draw but also developed a keen interest in painting. Despite not having any exposure to professional artists during that time, Malevich showed a natural talent for becoming a painter or artist. His ongoing development led him to attend several art schools, starting in 1895. This not only helped improve his skills but also allowed him to learn new techniques and refine his style by interacting with other artists.

After eight years, Malevich moved to a school of painting, sculpture, and architecture in Moscow, where his experience and expertise in the field continued to grow. He took private lessons from a professor named Ivan Rerberg, which led him to discover other artists who taught him about Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. As Malevich honed his skills, he gained recognition by participating in exhibitions that showcased the concept of Suprematism, featuring geometric forms with limited paint, in 1915. According to a summary, Malevich's new way of thinking was described as follows: "Malevich rejected the idea that art should copy nature and envisioned an abstract art reduced to its most fundamental geometric forms."

This discovery marked a new way of looking at the bigger picture. Instead of depicting what one sees, Malevich implemented the shapes observed in his surroundings. An example of his work, "Dynamic Suprematism," displays various geometric shapes, creating a sense of nonrepresentational abstract artwork. Malevich's fascination with aerial photography played a significant role in his artistic journey, inspiring abstract works of art based on aerial landscapes. Furthermore, he became a member of the Collegium on the Arts of Narkompros and published a book titled "The World as Non-Objectivity." Upon his death in 1935, Kazimir Malevich left behind numerous artworks that showcased his unique style. His accomplishments continue to be recognized as significant historical events in the field of Art History today.

Paul Klee
By Capryka Hunt

Paul Klee, a Swiss-German artist, gained recognition for his distinctive style of abstract and expressionist art. Renowned for his exceptional skill in draftsmanship, Klee's drawings showcase his adept use of line, form, and color. Often infused with elements of fantasy and whimsy, his drawings exhibit a masterful blend of color and line. Klee's artistic approach harmoniously combines abstraction, expressionism, and surrealism.

One of Klee's most renowned and iconic works is the 1928 painting "Castle and Sun." This artwork is celebrated for its incorporation of abstract shapes, vibrant colors, and childlike imagery. The composition features a stylized castle and sun, with the castle depicted as a series of geometric shapes and the sun portrayed as a radiant yellow orb with bold, radiating rays. Intricate lines and shapes connect the two elements, imbuing the composition with a sense of movement and dynamism. Klee's signature use of color and shape is evident in "Castle and Sun," exemplifying his unique artistic style. The painting is often interpreted as a representation of the interplay between order and chaos, with the castle symbolizing structure and the sun embodying the free-spirited nature of creativity and imagination. Overall, "Castle and Sun" stands as a powerful and visually striking work of art that continues to captivate viewers to this day.

"Castle and Sun" exemplifies Klee's experimentation with geometric patterns and bold colors, building upon his earlier work, "Senecio," which was created six years prior. By predominantly employing rectangles and triangles, Klee constructs a warm cityscape illuminated by the sun positioned in the upper-right corner of the painting. While "Senecio" featured slightly blurred color distinctions, "Castle and Sun" exhibits sharper lines that create a sense of depth while employing two-dimensional shapes. With these simple forms, Klee successfully captures the intricacy of a cityscape.

"Castle in the Sun," an oil painting on canvas, exemplifies Klee's ability to merge an abstract, cubist style with reality. For Klee, the German classical painter of Cubism, music became an influential companion, possibly even an integral part of his art. The composition, as if written in musical notes, appears not dissimilar. Klee's visit to the Paris surrealism exhibition in 1925 left a lasting impression, and he was particularly influenced by the Cubism of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, as well as the abstract, translucent color planes of Robert Delaunay. A pivotal point in Klee's life and career occurred in 1914 when he visited Tunisia. The radiant light of North Africa awakened his heightened sense of color, contributing to the evolution of his artistic expression.

Norman Lewis
By Chaney-Aashona Henry

Norman Wilfred Lewis, born on July 23, 1909, in New York, was an artist, teacher, and scholar. Throughout his artistic career, Lewis made significant contributions to abstract expressionism and The Harlem Renaissance. Focusing on urban life and the struggles of the community, Lewis utilized his artistic talents to express his unique experiences as an African American of Bermudian descent.

Coming from a family of artists, with his older brother Saul Lewis being a jazz musician, Norman Lewis was surrounded by art from a young age. While this environment both hindered and inspired him, Lewis initially felt overshadowed by his siblings, which led him to pursue painting as a young adult. As Lewis began painting, he depicted the community around him. However, as he developed as an artist, his artwork evolved to better serve and uplift his community. By the time of his death on August 27, 1979, Lewis had achieved his goal of creating artwork that was both poetic and unique, despite being self-taught.

Norman Lewis became an inspiration for African American artists and other minorities, demonstrating what was possible through his support and involvement in organizations such as the Harlem Artists Guild. The guild aimed to promote opportunities for African American artists and focused on political and social concerns within the artists' community and the broader black community. Lewis's involvement in organizing the guild and his artwork addressing community struggles and urban life led him to be recognized as a social realist within the art community.

One notable painting that encapsulates Lewis's artistic career is an untitled piece created between 1909 and 1979. This painting represents the message Lewis sought to convey throughout his career while also honoring abstract art. The artwork symbolizes the importance of unity within one's community. As an African American artist, Lewis emphasized the significance of appreciating and supporting one's surroundings, finding strength and solidarity among community members. The painting depicts a central figure surrounded by individuals in vibrant orange. The blurred and shadowy effect applied to the background figures creates a sense of them being spiritual ancestors. These ancestors serve as guides and protectors throughout life's journey. The painting represents Norman Lewis's personal journey as an artist who aimed to inspire and uplift others. The individuals in the foreground, looking up at the central figure, symbolize those whom he successfully inspired, walking alongside him with strength and determination.

In conclusion, Norman Wilfred Lewis made notable contributions to abstract expressionism and The Harlem Renaissance, using his art to address community struggles and urban life. He served as an inspiration for African American artists, demonstrating the possibilities and supporting initiatives like the Harlem Artists Guild. Through his artistic career, Lewis conveyed messages of unity and community support, with his untitled painting serving as a visual representation of his journey and the impact he made in uplifting others.

Karel Appel

By Gerardo Gonzalez

Karel Appel, a Dutch artist, achieved global recognition for his expressive and colorful paintings and sculptures. Born on April 25, 1921, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Appel embarked on his artistic journey at a young age. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam, where he was greatly influenced by the CoBrA movement—an association of artists advocating for spontaneity and experimentation in art.

Joining the CoBrA movement in 1948, Appel swiftly gained acclaim for his dynamic and vibrant style. Among his most iconic works is "Two Heads," a painting created in 1965. This artwork portrays two large, abstracted heads facing each other, rendered in bold primary colors with thick black outlines. The faces exude animation, characterized by wild expressions and frenzied brushstrokes that convey movement and emotion. "Two Heads" exemplifies Appel's distinctive style, which he referred to as "primitive expressionism." This style emphasized raw, uninhibited emotion and a childlike sense of wonder and spontaneity. While Appel's work was occasionally compared to that of the Abstract Expressionists, he rejected this categorization, asserting that his focus on the figure and vibrant color usage set his art apart.

Throughout his career, Appel experimented with various mediums, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics. Renowned for his fearless use of color, he applied it with thick, gestural brushstrokes or directly poured it onto the canvas. Appel also explored textural possibilities, employing a range of tools to create diverse surfaces and depths in his works. His artistic contributions were highly influential and left a lasting impact on the art world. His vibrant and energetic style played a significant role in ushering in a new era of post-war art, and he was widely lauded for capturing the zeitgeist. Appel received numerous accolades during his career, including the UNESCO Prize at the 1954 Venice Biennale and the Carnegie International Prize in 1958.

Presently, Appel's works can be found in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. His legacy as a pioneer of post-war art continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts, and his influence on the art world endures to this day.

Laurent Proneur
Chrystal McLaurin

Laurent Proneur's 2017 artwork "Sully" is a 72" × 60" oil painting on canvas. While not immediately apparent to the viewer, the painting is a portrait of Proneur's childhood friend, also named Sully, in which the artist has taken artistic liberties in the portrayal. In fact, Sully appears to be Frankenstein’s monster born from the artistic influences of Picasso and Basquiat. The artwork evokes Picasso's cubic and distorted figures while maintaining a street art style reminiscent of Basquiat. The figure in the painting is a combination of necrotic parts, visually represented by scratchy white lines throughout the figure. There is no definitive body, yet the elements come together to form a centralized, square composition. The multifaceted figure features multiple pairs of eyes but only one set of lips. The squarish form is outlined heavily in black and predominantly painted in blocks of primary colors. The red and blue fills of the body contrast with geometric squares in pastel greens and peachy oranges in the background. Realism is not a factor in the painting, and visible brushstrokes are intentionally present, showcasing a contrast between the delicacy and careful blending of colors.

Laurent Proneur's artistic style gives the impression that he was born during the American abstract expressionist movement. However, considering that he was born in a different country over two decades later, he can be viewed as a distant cousin of those artists. Proneur has led a life that encourages creative expression. Born in France in 1969 to a family involved in traveling circuses across Europe, he entertained audiences as a juggler, acrobat, and musician. With his liberal background, it comes as no surprise that he chose the less formal abstract expressionistic style of the American artists who emerged in the 1940s as his inspiration. He credits Jackson Pollock, Alexander Calder, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Pablo Picasso as his influences.

One significant influence not previously mentioned but evident throughout Proneur's work is graffiti. While graffiti as an artistic movement gained traction in New York City in the 1970s, a similar movement emerged in France in the 1980s. Under the pseudonym LONE, Proneur played a role in ushering in a new hip-hop scene in Europe, alongside contemporaries such as MC Solar, Menelik, and NTM. Starting in 1985, under the alter ego LONEroc, he clandestinely painted in the streets and subways, collaborating with artists like Futura 2000, Jonone 156, Mode 2, and Lokkiss. These artists also influenced his artistic style.

Transitioning from the streets of France, Proneur decided to test his skills at one of the world's most prestigious art institutions, Les Beaux Arts of Paris. During his three years there, he distinguished himself as the top artist in his illustration class. Consequently, his formal training aptly contributed to his description of his work as a "neoteric experiment in fine art graffiti."

Proneur eventually moved to the United States and currently works from Los Angeles. His artwork is easily accessible through his website, where clients can commission pieces, purchase original works, or buy prints. His work is exhibited in galleries worldwide, including Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, and Dubai.

References:

Artnet.com. Accessed June 12, 2023. https://www.artnet.com/artists/norman-lewis/.

The Art Story. "Kasimir Malevich." Accessed 2023. https://www.theartstory.org/artist/malevich-kasimir/.  

The Art Story. "Norman Lewis Paintings, Bio, Ideas." Accessed 2023. https://www.theartstory.org/artist/lewis-norman/

Invaluable.com. "Lot 85: Norman Wilfred Lewis American 1909-1979." Accessed June 12, 2023. https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/norman-wilfred-lewis-american-1909-1979-85-c-0b54268971/.

Kazimir-Malevich.org. "Biography." Accessed 2023. https://www.kazimir-malevich.org/biography.html.

Laurentproneurart. "Home | LAURENT PRONEUR." Accessed 2023. https://www.laurentproneur.art/.

Wide Walls | Modern & Contemporary Art Resource. "Kazimir Malevich." Accessed 2023. https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/famous-abstract-artists/kazimir-malevich-1.

Gonzalez, Gerardo, Chaney-Aashona Henry, Capryka Hunt, Chrystal McLaurin, and Kristian Nolden. "Abstract Expressionism: Searching for A Global Language." The Department of Art and Theatre 2, no. 2 (2023): 32-41.

Kazimir Malevich, Suprematist Composition, 1916. Oil on canvas.

Paul Klee, Castle and the Sun, 1928.

Norman Wilfred Lewis, Untitled, Oil on canvas.

Karel Appel, Two Heads, 1965.

Lauren Proneur, Sully, 2017, Oil on canvas.