Inventing Abstraction Research

Inquiry Question:  How has the art form changed over time?


Abstract Art

The dictionary definition of abstract is 'relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, and textures.' Other words to describe abstract is non-representational, non realistic, symbolic and impressionistic. However abstract art is a 'trend in painting and sculpture. Seeks to break away from traditional representation of physical objects. Abstract art focuses on forms, shapes, colours, textures and their relationships whereas traditional art focuses on standard recognizable shapes. It's a form of art (painting and sculpture) where the artists can express how they feel. Abstract art is painting, drawing, sculpting in a way where it doesn't represent real life objects. Abstract art distorts and changes real life standard things. Abstract art is based off colour, shapes, size, scale, texture and brushstrokes. An early example of an influential abstract work was the Picture with a Circle (1911) by the Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky.

The Picture with a Circle - Wassily Kandinsky 1911

How abstract art evolved and how to appreciate it?

Colin Lawson - Abstract Painter

Colin Lawson was born in 1959 in Dunfermline, Scotland and currently lives in East Lothian. He works at Edinburgh College of Art in the University of Edinburgh as a painter and lecturer of painting. Lawson connects his artwork and painting to the relationship between music and a painted surface. He quotes,
'As a teacher of painting my intention is to promote the discipline and clarify the importance of painting as contemporary art practice. My experience of working with a wide range of materials, formats and techniques informs my approach and provides the foundation for tutorial guidance at all levels.'
Lawson has regularly collaborated with several great musicians: London Symphony Orchestra in Bosnia, Mr McFall's Chamber in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Shetland Isles. Lawson takes his inspiration from the early work of John Cage, Miles Davis and Brian Eno which he finds remarkable.
'I am interested in the extended life of painting. The real fascination is with surface- the painted surface and its connection to the sound surface. I am greatly influenced by electronic and ambient music, in particular its ability to envelop the listener without drawing attention to itself.'
He uses several tools such as file sharing, animation and projection to discover new applications of painting in contemporary art. His collaborative abstract animations have the purpose of connecting his artwork to music, They are created with multiple scans of his paintings and then animated using Adobe Photoshop. Lawson's work is greatly influenced by ambient music. His aim is to create a bland form of painting which will encourage attention rather than demand it.

Ambient Music

Examples of Lawson's work with Pleq