Abstract painting started in Europe in the late 19th and 20th centuries with movements such as German expressionism and other avant-garde movements such as De Stijl or Russian suprematism. During the 20th century, Minimalism, Op Art, Informalism or American Abstract Expressionism continued to lay the foundations of abstract expression by incorporating new media and concepts, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression even further.

Kandinsky “Soft Tension No. 85”, 1923

In “Soft Tension No. 85,” Kandinsky's lyrical approach to art, fluid brushwork and harmonious color combinations come together to create a symphony of visual poetry. His use of abstract forms and dynamic compositions was inspired by music. Through his synaesthetic works, Kandinsky revolutionized the art world by applying musical concepts to painting. Thanks to this innovative way of understanding art, Kandinsky positioned himself as one of the fathers of abstraction.

In “Soft Tension No. 85,” Kandinsky's lyrical approach to art, fluid brushwork and harmonious color combinations come together to create a symphony of visual poetry.

Malevich, “White on White", 1918

Malevich's “White on White” removes all representational elements to explore the pure essence of form and color. The canvas is dominated by a square of white paint on a white background, creating a subtle play of light and shadow. In this synthetic masterpiece, Malevich succeeds in transcending the physical limitations of the canvas, evoking infinite space and spiritual purity. “White on White” constitutes a milestone of artistic innovation and a pioneering masterpiece.

The canvas is dominated by a square of white paint on a white background, creating a subtle play of light and shadow. In this synthetic masterpiece Malevich succeeds in transcending the physical limitations of the canvas, evoking infinite space and spiritual purity

Jackson Pollock “One: Number 31”, 1950

American artist Jackson Pollock was one of the foremost figures of abstract expressionism, best known as a pioneer of the drip technique. This revolutionary technique involved throwing paint directly from the jar or brush onto the canvas. The resulting works were incredibly expressive and broke conventional artistic boundaries. Pollock's works went beyond mere decoration; they spoke volumes about the human capacity for creativity and its intrinsic link to the natural world and fractals.

Pollock's works went beyond mere decoration; they spoke volumes about the human capacity for creativity and its intrinsic link to the natural world and fractals.

Piet Mondrian “Composition in Red and Blue”, 1931

Piet Mondrian's “Composition in Red and Blue” (or “Composition No. 1 with Red and Blue”) is a representative example of his iconic abstract style. Mondrian employs geometric grids and primary colors to create a harmonious balance. The dynamic interplay between the red and blue elements, along with the crisp black lines, gives the composition a sense of rhythm and purity. Mondrian's lifelong quest to distill the essence of reality into its most essential elements is evident, echoing the ethic of De Stijl: “Let us strip nature of all its forms, and only style will remain”.

Lucio Fontana "Spatial Concept”, 1949 - 1950

Lucio Fontana's “Spatial Concept” series represents a radical departure from traditional notions of painting. In these innovative works, Fontana perforated the canvas, creating real physical voids in the surface of the paint. This innovative approach challenged the essence of artistic creation, blurring the boundaries between painting and sculpture and introducing dimensionality to the canvas. Fontana sought to transcend the two-dimensional plane, inviting the viewer to relate to space in a new way.

Fontana perforated the canvas, creating real physical voids in the surface of the paint. This innovative approach challenged the essence of artistic creation, blurring the boundaries between painting and sculpture and introducing dimensionality to the canvas

Lee Ufan “Dialogue” 2014

The renowned Korean artist Lee Ufan (1936, South Korea) was part of the Japanese Mo-ho movement, being one of the major representative figures of Asian art. He presents the Dialogue series, with a minimalist approach in which the brush moves across the paper, releasing gradually less paint, making the impression lighter and more ethereal. With methodical repetition, the artist introduces bold colors such as blue, red or earthy green, distancing himself from his usual palette of grays and turning his gaze towards elusive references to the real world.

He presents the Dialogue series, with a minimalist approach in which the brush moves across the paper, releasing gradually less paint, making the impression lighter and more ethereal.

Tanya Ling “Wind” 2024

The work “Wind” by Indian artist Tanya Ling (b. 1966, India), illustrates her remarkable synthesis capacity. Through her powerful brushstrokes, Ling manages to emulate the rhythm of the wind, presenting works that evoke the intangibility of movement. Tanya Ling began her career as a fashion illustrator, with works published in magazines such as Louis Vuitton and Vogue, and has since evolved into an internationally renowned abstract painter based in New York.

Through her powerful brushstrokes, Ling manages to emulate the rhythm of the wind, presenting works that evoke the intangibility of movement.

‍Sylvia Ong “Reverie No. 1, 2023”

Malaysian artist Sylvia Ong (b. 1980 in Kuala Lumpur) is an interdisciplinary artist. Through her expressive and striking brushstrokes, she explores the depths of human perception and consciousness. Entitled “Reverie”, a French word used by Gaston Bachelard to describe a moment of quiet, reflective state of mind in which one wanders freely, Ong created this dynamic and colorful composition full of intensity.

Elvira Fustero López "Por la paz", 2023

Elvira Fustero's painting “Por la paz” (For Peace) exudes vigor and poetry, showing a dynamic style in constant evolution. In her works, emotional resonance intertwines perfectly with expressive gestures, extending across the pictorial plane to form rhythms that imprint depth and dimension. In works such as “ Por la paz”, she achieves a remarkable synthesis of expressiveness and strength, showing her mastery of composition and rhythmic imagery. Fustero's art speaks eloquently of the essence of painting, transcending mere representation to evoke a powerful and evocative presence on the canvas. The work is on view at VILLAZAN Madrid as part of the group exhibition "Walking along colorful paths" until June 7th, 2024.

Elvira Fustero's painting “Por la paz” (For Peace) exudes vigor and poetry, showing a dynamic style in constant evolution. In her works, emotional resonance intertwines perfectly with expressive gestures, extending across the pictorial plane to form rhythms that imprint depth and dimension

And as for emerging artists, we highlight the works of:

Eline Boerma "Fog at Night", 2024

Eline Boerma's “ Fog at Night” shows the ability of this emerging Dutch artist to combine the materiality of painting with a fresh and decisive style. Inspired by nature, Boerma's work presents powerful compositions of colors and shapes, inspired by her boat trip in the Mediterranean. This work is part of a series presented in the last exhibition at VILLAZAN Madrid, “ Strokes and Textures: Navigating through the abstract”.

Inspired by nature, Boerma's work presents powerful compositions of colors and shapes, inspired by her boat trip in the Mediterranean.

Dennis Schikora's "Downstream / Strobed", 2024

Dennis Schikora's 'Downstream / Strobed' offers a glimpse into the process of painting itself. As an emerging German artist, Schikora explores the elements of pictorial language and the emergence of his works. Drawing inspiration from music, literature and philosophy, his visual compositions delve into the materiality of painting with a fresh and dynamic style. Schikora's works were also exhibited alongside Boerma's in the exhibition “Strokes and Texture: Navigating the Abstract” at VILLAZAN Madrid.

As an emerging German artist, Schikora explores the elements of pictorial language and the emergence of his works. Drawing inspiration from music, literature and philosophy, his visual compositions delve into the materiality of painting with a fresh and dynamic style.