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Abstract Art Quotes

Abstract art quotes here span genuine debate within the art world, from an artist claiming abstraction effectively ended with Malevich's Black Square, to a defense of abstract art as clearing space for figurative art's return, to a blunter observation that people like abstract art partly because it makes them feel clever. Together they capture both the seriousness and the skepticism surrounding abstraction as a movement.

These abstract art quotes debate abstraction's legacy, from Malevich's Black Square to modern skepticism. For more on artistic craft, see our Art collection.

We are all hungry and thirsty for concrete images. Abstract art will have been good for one thing: to restore its exact virginity to figurative art.

Quotes by Salvador Dali

I think we're much smarter than we were. Everybody knows that abstract art can be art, and most people know that they may not like it, even if they understand there's another purpose to it.

Quotes by Roy Lichtenstein

Just as pure abstract art is not dogmatic, neither is it decorative.

Quotes by Piet Mondrian

I'm not an abstract artist; I leave that to others. To me, abstract art ended with Kazimir Malevich's 'Black Square.' To continue it is senseless.

Quotes by Jonas Mekas

Abstract Quotes

People like abstract art because it makes them feel clever.

Quotes by James Acaster

The surrealists, and the modern movement in painting as a whole, seemed to offer a key to the strange postwar world with its threat of nuclear war. The dislocations and ambiguities, in cubism and abstract art as well as the...

Quotes by J. G. Ballard

What goes on in abstract art is the proclaiming of aesthetic principles... It is in our own time that we have become aware of pure aesthetic considerations. Art never can be imitation.

Quotes by Hans Hofmann

I'm just really impressed by oil paintings - I don't see how people do it! That's the style I like: classic oil paintings. Abstract art just isn't my thing.

Quotes by Brittany Howard

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Malevich reference in these abstract art quotes mean?
One quote argues that abstract art effectively ended with Kazimir Malevich's Black Square, suggesting that continuing in that same direction afterward felt pointless to the speaker. It's a strong, opinionated claim about where abstraction reached its logical conclusion. The quote reflects a specific artistic viewpoint rather than a universal consensus.
Is there a more skeptical take on abstract art in this collection?
Yes, one quote suggests people like abstract art partly because it makes them feel clever, hinting at a gap between genuine appreciation and social performance. It's a blunter, more critical observation compared to the more reverent lines elsewhere in the collection. For more on artistic craft and technique, see our Art collection.
What does the quote about restoring virginity to figurative art argue?
It proposes that abstract art's real value lies in clearing the ground so figurative art can return with renewed meaning, almost like a reset for representational painting. This positions abstraction not as an endpoint but as a necessary detour. It's one of the more thoughtful, defensive takes on abstraction in the set.
How does this collection address changing public understanding of abstract art?
One quote notes that people today are generally smarter about art, understanding that abstract work can be genuine art even if they personally don't like it. This reflects a shift toward accepting abstraction as legitimate, regardless of personal taste. It shows the conversation around abstract art evolving over time.
Where can I find more quotes about artists and aesthetic judgment?
Our Artist collection explores related perspectives from creators across different mediums. You might also enjoy Aesthetic for more on how people judge beauty and meaning in art. Both pair naturally with the abstract art quotes found here.

A few lines here question whether abstract art's appeal is more about perception than substance. Explore more in our Abstract and Artist pages.