Now available in paperback, this is a radically new approach to the understanding of abstract art, expanded to include sixteen new contemporary artists from six continents, and an emphasis on textile as abstract.
In his fresh take on abstract art, now available in paperback and expanded to include sixteen new contemporary artists from six continents, noted art historian Pepe Karmel chronicles the movement from a global perspective, while embedding abstraction in a recognizable reality. Moving beyond the canonical terrain of abstract art, the author demonstrates how artists from around the world have used abstract imagery to express social, cultural, and spiritual experience.
Karmel builds this fresh approach to abstract art around five inclusive themes: body, landscape, cosmology, architecture, and man-made signs and patterns. In the process, this history develops a series of narratives that go far beyond the established figures and movements traditionally associated with abstract art. Each narrative is complemented by a number of featured abstract works, arranged in thought-provoking pairings with accompanying extended captions that provide an in-depth analysis. This wide-ranging examination incorporates work from Asia, Australia, Africa, and South America, as well as Europe and North America, through artists ranging from Wu Guanzhong, Joan Miró, Jackson Pollock, to Hilma af Klint, and Odili Donald Odita. Breaking new ground, Karmel has forged a new history of this key art movement.
266 color illustrations
From the Publisher
Publisher : Thames & Hudson
Publication date : November 11, 2025
Language : English
Print length : 360 pages
ISBN-10 : 0500298386
ISBN-13 : 978-0500298381
Item Weight : 3.22 pounds
Dimensions : 8.1 x 1 x 10.4 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #508,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #387 in Art Movements (Books) #1,356 in Art History (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (98) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Eana –
Highly engaging book
This is a highly engaging book, whose topic and scale are ambitiously extensive, but surprisingly reads so smoothly, like storytelling! I like the thematic organization which makes each topic so accessible!
Mary –
Great book
The book arrived fast and in perfect condition. The quality of paper is high, pictures are bright. The font is easy to read. I recommend the book and the store.
Wayne Dynes –
Superb.
This beautifully produced volume offers two special features. In addition to the canonical artists from Kandinsky and Mondrian to Pollock, it covers significant figures from Latin America and Asia. Moreover, it employs a useful classification according to what genre lies behind the individual works.
Brown –
Loved It.
Excellent. It is good to hear a take on abstraction that is rational and realistic: not centered on the belief in something attempting to be psychologically deep.
Black Flamenco –
Met high standards
Given as a gift to two artists who absolutely love it!
Tom Furgas –
Important Survey, However Flawed
This survey of abstract art has much to recommend it. The artists are grouped into various categories, rather than being presented by country or chronologically. This organization of the book helps to shed light on the principles that the various artists engaged with in the creation of their works.Unfortunately, there are several glaring omissions, with important artists not being represented in the book, sometimes not even mentioned. Where is Soulages, Motherwell, Tapies, Wols, and Mathiaeu, to name the most conspicuous figures left out of account here.As fine as this book is, I’m afraid I can only award it three stars. The printing and binding are first-rate, and the writing overall is insightful and thought-provoking. Too bad the major figures I mention were given short shrift here.
OK Tamease –
Beautiful Book
This is a great book, very high quality and the research is excellent. I love it and have learned much! I collect art books and am happy to add this book to my collection!
Kurt Thaler –
ist die Kunst immär auch enteressahnt für kleine Gginder auch
Fabrizio –
Bellissimo, immagini molto definite, contenuti interessanti, ottimo per iniziare l’esplorazione dell’arte astratta per poi continuare ad approfondire con altre letture! Consigliatissimo
Andy D –
Excellent overview of Abstract Art in all it’s many disciplines.Fantastic clear images on real quality paper; which always makes a huge difference when buying art books. Also, many artists that I had no knowledge of as well as the more known artist.A welcome addition to my bookshelf/ coffee table.