Understanding Abstract Art
Abstract art does not have to depict a recognisable person, place or object. It gives the artist freedom to work with colour, shape, space and movement, without needing to tell a literal story.
Sometimes a painting suggests a landscape or a familiar feeling. Sometimes it is simply the relationship between colours that draws you in. There is no single way to experience it, and that is much of its appeal.
How to look at abstract art
You do not need to work out what a painting is supposed to represent. Notice where your eye goes first, how the colours sit together and whether the composition feels calm, lively, intimate or expansive. You might love a painting immediately, or find that it grows on you over time.
A personal connection
Two people can stand in front of the same painting and respond quite differently. One might be reminded of a place, while another is drawn to a colour or the feeling the work creates. Neither response is more correct. A good painting leaves space for both.
Paresh Nrshinga's approach
London-based artist Paresh Nrshinga FRSA creates original abstract paintings with acrylics, exploring colour and movement through an instinctive but considered process. His work ranges from expressive, large-scale canvases to quieter compositions. Each develops in its own way rather than following a fixed formula.
Choosing a painting to live with
Consider how the scale and colours feel in your room, but give equal weight to your own response. An original painting is something you will return to every day. It should be a work you genuinely enjoy, not simply one that matches the furnishings.