The world of art was forever changed in the early 20th century when artists began to push the boundaries of what was considered "acceptable" in visual art. This was the era of modernism, where the focus shifted from just replicating reality to exploring new forms of expression. There entered abstract art.

Artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian were pioneers of this movement. Kandinsky believed that colors, shapes, and forms could communicate emotions without needing to represent anything from the physical world. He famously said, "Color is a power which directly influences the soul." These artists—and many others—began to experiment with new ways of seeing and expressing the world. They asked, "What if art wasn’t about showing what we see, but how we feel?" And thus, abstract art was born, not as a rebellion against fine art, but as a natural progression in the quest for deeper meaning and expression.

• Why Abstract Art is Misunderstood?

  So, why do so many people think abstract art is somehow different from fine art? Well, it comes down to a simple misconception. When people think of fine art, they often picture classical, representational works like Mona Lisa. These are the types of works we’re most familiar with in traditional settings like galleries and museums.

  But abstract art doesn’t fit into this neat box. It challenges us to look beyond what we know and experience art in a different way. And when people don’t immediately recognize what they’re seeing, they sometimes think, “This isn’t real art.” The misconception arises because abstract art doesn’t give you a clear image to latch onto—it requires a bit more effort to understand, and that’s what makes it so exciting! It invites the viewer to bring their own interpretations to the table, making it a truly interactive experience.

• Abstract Art and Representational Art: Two Sides of the Same Coin

  In reality, abstract art and representational art are not opposites—they are both part of the fine art umbrella. Whether you’re looking at a detailed portrait or a piece of abstract work, the goal of fine art is the same: to make you think, feel, and experience something beyond the ordinary. Artists like Pablo Picasso moved between representational and abstract styles, proving that the two can coexist beautifully. Picasso’s famous works, like Guernica, blend elements of both styles, showing that fine art is about pushing boundaries, not fitting into one particular mold.