Abstract Art vs. Contemporary Art: What's the Difference?

If you've ever stood in front of a painting and wondered whether to call it abstract or contemporary, you're not alone. The two terms get mixed up constantly, and understandably so. Here's a clear breakdown of what each one actually means.

Abstract Art: About the Break from Reality

Abstract art is defined by what it doesn't do: represent recognizable subjects from the real world. Instead of painting a horse that looks like a horse, abstract artists use shape, color, line, and form to express ideas or emotions directly.

Abstract art as a movement took hold in the early 20th century, with artists like Kandinsky and Mondrian leading the charge. The goal was to create work that communicated something without being tied to literal representation. A burst of red and orange might convey urgency or passion. Overlapping geometric forms might suggest complexity or tension.

When you're looking at abstract art, the question isn't what is this a picture of? It's how does this make me feel?

Contemporary Art: About the Time Period

Contemporary art is defined by when it was made, not by a particular style. Work created roughly from the 1970s to the present day generally falls under the contemporary label. Contemporary art can be abstract, realistic, digital, sculptural, performance-based, or anything else.

The defining characteristic is that it's current. Contemporary artists are responding to the world as it exists today, engaging with modern culture, technology, politics, and society.

Where They Overlap

A piece of abstract art made today is both abstract and contemporary. That's where the confusion often comes from. Abstract is a style descriptor. Contemporary is a time descriptor. They can coexist in the same work.

What This Means When You're Buying Art

If you're decorating and trying to find the right piece, it helps to think about these terms separately. Do you want something non-representational and emotionally expressive? You're looking for abstract art. Do you want something that feels current and connected to the way art looks and feels right now? That's where contemporary comes in.

Most of the work in the Auragen Canvases collection sits at the intersection of both: abstract in style and contemporary in sensibility.