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Abstract art is a kind of visual thinking with colour, shape, form and medium. Abstraction often involves a spontaneous and intuitive approach to artistic creation. However, it also requires aesthetic rational behind the creative expression - i.e. the artist has to select what is essential to create abstract art. The nature of abstract art is evocative rather than descriptive. It can stimulate our senses and inner feelings without story-telling.

19 artworks
  • 14 March 47 (still life on table) 1947
    Ben Nicholson (1894–1982)
    Oil on board
    H 46.1 x W 52.1 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    14 March 47 (still life on table)
    © Angela Verren Taunt. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • The Tempest 1959
    Henry Inlander (1925–1983)
    Oil on canvas
    H 95.5 x W 95.4 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    The Tempest
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images . Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Landscape on Gold and Pink
    Peter Kinley (1926–1988)
    Oil on canvas
    H 45.6 x W 56 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Landscape on Gold and Pink
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Blue Purpose 1935
    Winifred Nicholson (1893–1981)
    Oil on canvas
    H 65 x W 81.3 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Blue Purpose
    © Trustees of Winifred Nicholson. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Composition with Blue and Black 1959
    William Scott (1913–1989)
    Oil on canvas
    H 101.5 x W 127 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Composition with Blue and Black
    © estate of William Scott 2024. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Meditation 1972
    Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975)
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Landscape with Sea 1958
    Trevor Bell (1930–2017)
    Oil on canvas
    H 199.4 x W 167.8 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Landscape with Sea
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Black Bleeding
    Kenneth Dingwall (b.1938)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 163.3 x W 209.6 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Black Bleeding
    © the artist. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Relief Eight 1980
    Margaret Mellis (1914–2009)
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Rumbold Vertical Four: Green in Green with Blue and Red: September 1970 1970
    Patrick Heron (1920–1999)
    Oil on canvas
    H 213.4 x W 122 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Rumbold Vertical Four: Green in Green with Blue and Red: September 1970
    © the estate of Patrick Heron. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Repetition, Violet/Grey 1995
    Callum Innes (b.1962)
    Oil on canvas
    H 175 x W 165 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Scottish Ballad 1990
    Robert Motherwell (1915–1991)
    Acrylic & collage on canvas
    H 91.5 x W 61 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Scottish Ballad
    © Dedalus Foundation, Inc/VAGA, New York and DACS, London 2024. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Head of a Young Girl 1975
    Stephen Buckley (b.1944)
    Enamel over acrylic on canvas
    H 208.2 x W 170.1 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Head of a Young Girl
    © the artist. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • To a Summer's Day 1980
    Bridget Riley (b.1931)
    Acrylic on linen
    H 115.5 x W 251 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    To a Summer's Day
    © courtesy the artist and Karsten Schubert, London. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Untitled 1950–1959
    Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)
    Oil on canvas
    H 55.3 x W 78.2 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Untitled
    © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Green for Cathy 1973
    John Copnall (1928–2007)
    Oil on canvas
    H 294 x W 189 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Green for Cathy
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Open Harbour
    Ian McKenzie Smith (b.1935)
    Oil on canvas
    H 102 x W 126.9 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Open Harbour
    © the artist. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Landscape 1957
    William Johnstone (1897–1981)
    Oil on canvas
    H 76.5 x W 63.6 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Landscape
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Poissons d'or 1963
    Ceri Giraldus Richards (1903–1971)
    Oil on canvas
    H 128 x W 127.8 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Poissons d'or
    © estate of Ceri Richards. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums