Abstract art is an artist's impression of a subject or feeling rather than an exact likeness. If you want a flower that looks like a flower or a house that looks like a house, then abstract art is probably not for you. Abstract art is all about expression of feelings, moods, and perceptions through colors and/or different shapes. Some works of abstract art are very intricate and detailed while others are quite simple.

Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Neo-plasticism are three important categories of abstract art. Let's look at the origins of this interesting art form so that we can better understand how it came to be.

Cubism was an avant-garde movement pioneered around 1907 by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Real subjects and objects were broken apart and "re-assembled" from many different angles, in an abstracted form. This dissection of a subject and putting it back together is Cubism's notable characteristic.

The form of abstract art known as Neo-plasticism, was a Dutch movement that began in the late 1910's. Neo-plasticism is based on the premise that art should not be the reproduction of real objects, but the expression of the absolutes of life. This form of abstract art followed the reasoning that an artist should create using only lines and colors rather than realistic subjects. This movement of abstract art simplified subjects to vertical and horizontal directions and used only primary colors, along with black and white. Two of the early founders of the Neo-plasticism movement were Theo van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian.

Abstract Expressionism was an American, post World War II art movement. Jackson Pollock is just one of the artists that helped bring this art form into being. With this art form the artist applied paint rapidly to a very large canvas, either using a brush or literally throwing paint at the canvas. What appeared to be an accident and totally random, was actually very planned. The expressive method of painting was often considered as important as the actual painting. This form of abstract art is characterized by a spirit of revolt and a core belief in freedom of expression.

Another form of abstract art is Conceptual Art. Basically, Conceptual Art is just that, a concept. An artist takes an idea and creates a piece of artwork based on their interpretation or concept, rather than following the traditional way a painting or sculpture is usually done. Conceptual artists establish their idea or concept as the focal point, rather than the object they are depicting.

Many other artists have contributed to the development of abstract art. Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Miro, and Paul Klee are just a few more of the 20,000 plus known abstract artists. With so many artists contributing to the development of abstract art, it is no wonder there are so many different forms and interpretations of abstract art in existence.

Today artists are still creating very unique works of abstract art. Abstract art does not appeal to all art lovers. Some art lovers need to have real objects portrayed in almost photographic detail to enjoy it. Others totally enjoy the emotional, spontaneous, and impulsive expression that is revealed in abstract art.