Abstract, nonfigurative, non-representational

we tend to call abstract every visual that does not represent something that can be related to real life

are we agreeing on this?

at times, even worst: abstract is the synonym of something that one does not understand, unable to comprehend or can not relate to. As everything in life, abstract has its spectrum. Some are just a bit, so that we can clearly recognise reality. Others are really much, so we need to search or let our mind come up with ideas…what is that we are viewing? However I like to be more specific on this topic.

I consider my works abstract because the visuals are abstracted from real life objects that we see and live with. We know these very well.

Take a tree. My favourite form.

We all have exact experience how does a tree look, feel, smell. We know it has roots that we can not see, we learnt about its structure down to cellular level. We eat their fruits and cook on its wood. So so much of aspects. And this abundance of features open the door to abstract, because we build on the ones that we are the most interested in. I personally love the silhouette of the tree, its leaves, its fruits, the roots and cambium rings. I worked out visual appearances for these features that i use on my paintings. These became symbols that we can relate to and these symbols connect the original tree to other objects, feelings and thoughts of reality. My Mom calls my trees often ‘chicken legs’. And here we are. The trees got totally derailed and started becoming something else in her eyes. Because not only beauty, but meaning too is in the eye of the beholder.

This painting of the Apple tree, well, one is free to interpret the visual. You may blush too. As it was inspired by the folk tale of Árgyélus királyfi és Tündérszép Ilona, which has a strong love story line, thus the features of the tree are abstracted into forms that respond to it.

The next level of abstraction is nonfigurative -

in my opinion.

When the recognisable forms become further simplified and essential. This is the peculiar case when the simpler it becomes the more it means. The form opens up and free for interpretation. The viewer is also liberated and can freely decipher .

Non-representational happens when the intellect is let go and rests.

The instinctive takes over. It is total liberation. It is strong, ancient and non-arguable. The gestures are emotional and no need to explain. Body and mind work together perfectly in time and space. It is the celebration of something that is beyond comprehension, allowed to exist on it own, in its own context

That is how I see it. What is your view?