Abstract art has been around for a while. It is believed to have originated in Europe in the late 19th century but developed in the 20th century. This is thought to have happened due to a decline in the popularity and appreciation of realism in art.
Art of an abstract nature allows each piece and each artist to be unique. The work of Stony has twists of street art and abstraction, along with an overall urban and modern feel.
Read this blog as we explore and discover abstract street artists’ work and look into the different styles and forms that abstract art portrays in these artists’ works.
An Introduction to Abstract Street Art
Abstract art is very different from other types of street art. It is a contemporary art type that is not meant to represent images or text.
In most cases, we are used to seeing graffiti and street art in the form of tags and imagery of a striking and/or political nature on the sides of buildings and walls in urban areas.
Abstract art is a mixture of shapes, curves, forms, marks, colours, and tones. It does not attempt to represent something accurately but is more of a representation of something and therefore does not depict visual reality.
Abstract artwork is often associated with urban and new concepts, but in reality, it has existed since the graffiti era began.
The Difference Between Graffiti and Street Art
Street artists and graffiti artists are often referred to as the same thing. Some popular and well-known street artists and graffiti artists include the likes of Keith Haring, Shepard Fairey, and Banksy, to name a few popular examples.
This name confusion probably came from the fact that the type of art originally came from the same location – the street! This type of art has been popularised to the point where you can often find it in art galleries, museums, and other places of culture, as well as in the possession of avid art collectors.
Graffiti art has been present since the 1970s and was made famous by graffiti artists such as Cornbread. This point in history was when graffiti art was the language of protest against power and governments. Graffiti word art was a way of being heard and seen, establishing status, and/or marking territory.
Street art often has a theme and appeals to a more mainstream audience in this modern age, whereas ‘abstract graffiti’ is a concept that is contradictory. The moment graffiti loses its lettering and symbols, it is considered street art.
There are, however, many artists that have emerged over the decades that have succeeded in combining the two things or sitting on the borderline of these two art types, including producing abstract graffiti, making it a form of street art. The interesting work of abstract street artists is well worth admiring.
Exploring the Work of Abstract Street Artists
We often see street art as the type we are familiar with from the types and techniques mentioned above.
Abstract work tends to evoke techniques, different dimensions and textures, and geometric forms that allude to a reality that is up for interpretation.
When abstract art meets a wall as its canvas, something amazing happens, and it produces an incredible outcome.
Santiago Jaen Chan
Some of the talented abstract artists include Santiago Jaen in graffiti world, better known as ‘Chan’, who was born in Barcelona and is a self-taught urban abstract artist and also a graffiti writer. Chan’s abstract style mixes curves and shapes to portray energies of balance, movement, and calm.
Chan’s style is often influenced by the contemporary world and his personal style. His first mural was at The City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, a Barcelona hospital, where a varied composition brought art and culture together. The vibrant colours of Chan’s mural always bring joyful liveliness to an area of space.
Ruben Sanchez, ‘Zoonchez’
Ruben Sanchez, or ‘Zoonchez’, is well known for creating colourful abstract compositions with elements of intended balance. Zoonchez is a Spanish artist, but his large-scale public murals can be found in countries including Germany, France, Canada, Turkey, Sweden, Hungary, and the US.
Deriving from the world of skateboarding and graffiti, the work of this self-taught artist can be found to have a lack of symmetry and proportions, yet always with a vibrant colour palette and visual balance that gives off a Mediterranean vibe.
Rosh333
Rosh333’s work attracted the global urban art scene towards the end of the 1990s. His style experiments with shapes, colour, and texture and likes to develop complex schemes. Rosh333 gets inspiration from life, his experiences, and trips, as well as architecture and music.
SrGer
SrGer is a master of scribbling techniques, similar in chaos to the work of Stony in that his abstract work is unique with a creative personality. His abilities cover many different art types, including mural painting.
JM Yes
JM Yes transforms walls with abstract displays of colourful geometric shapes. You will find lines, colourful figures, and references to ancient symbolism and lettering.
Where to Find Abstract Street Art
A fantastic place to find abstract street art is Spain, more specifically in Madrid or Barcelona. There are many urban and cultural opportunities to view in these cities, with locations full of vibrancy, colour, and energy.
There are several locations where you can experience such amazing abstract street artists’ work, including graffiti walls and commissioned art. Such urban artwork makes for wonderful photo opportunities if you are in the area.
For Madrid, check out Lavapiés and Malasaña as they are the most hipster and therefore most popular for tourists, and they are only a 15-20 minute walk from the city centre. It is well worth a visit to see the range of artwork on the walls and take in the local culture.
