Abstract & contemporary
Irish art.

What is abstract art?

Abstract art gives colour, shape, line, texture and relationships between forms a central role. It may move away from a recognisable subject or work without a depicted subject at all. You do not have to identify a scene or an object before responding to it.

For a starting definition, the Irish Museum of Modern Art’s glossary describes abstract art through its emphasis on formal elements rather than depicting subject matter.

When exploring abstract paintings or works on paper, notice where your eye moves, how marks relate to each other and what changes when you look again. An artist’s title or statement can offer another way into the work, without having to settle its meaning for you.

What is contemporary Irish art?

Contemporary art refers broadly to current and recent artistic practice. It is not one visual style: it can include painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, installation and other approaches. Contemporary work can be abstract or figurative.

IMMA’s introduction to modern and contemporary art explains why the terms overlap in everyday use but describe different ideas in art history.

On PlotArt, begin with an individual artist’s work and account of their practice. The gallery brings their biography, images, medium, dimensions, availability and enquiry route together.

How to choose abstract art you want to live with

Look at the whole work, then its details

Give the composition time before moving to the next image. Look for contrasts, repeated forms and shifts in colour or surface. Explore other works by the artist to see what connects them and what changes.

Check the physical object

“Abstract” describes an approach, rather than a material or a guarantee of uniqueness. Check whether a piece is a painting, an original print, a mixed-media work or a reproduction. Read the dimensions and ask about framing and display.

Consider scale as well as colour

A large work can change the balance of a space; a smaller work can invite a closer encounter. Measure the place you have in mind and consider the distance from which you will usually see it. Ask the artist for more information if you cannot judge the scale from the photographs.

Make the enquiry specific

Ask about the exact piece you like: its availability, total price, materials, framing and collection or delivery. Where a viewing is possible, the artist can explain how to arrange it. PlotArt passes enquiries to the artist and does not take payment.

For price comparisons, originals and editions, and practical questions before buying, read Buying original art in Ireland.