Definition for Abstraction
From Biology Forums Dictionary
Abstraction (20th century) painting is “nonrepresentational” art. That is, it contains minimal reference to natural objects, the objects in the world we perceive through our senses. Abstract art, in many ways, stands in contrast to impressionism and expressionism in that the observer can read little or nothing in the painting of the artist’s feelings for anything outside the painting. Abstract painting explores the expressive qualities of formal design elements and materials in their own right, and these elements are assumed to stand apart from subject matter or content. Abstraction in sculpture pursues the goals of all abstract art, and that is to explore beauty in form alone; no other quality is needed. Abstraction as a style in sculpture is less concerned with expressive content than other sculptural styles. The subject matter may, in fact, be representational, having abstract relationships to other styles of the past. Typical of this style are highly finished surfaces and strong technique.