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abstractionist

abstractionist

9.5
Relating to art that uses shapes and colors rather than real people or things
  • adjective
  • /æbˈstrækʃənɪst/
translation icon : abstraccionista
  • All this is not to deny that interesting abstractionist experiments were undertaken in the 1960s and 1970s.

Examples

  • The gallery featured stunning abstractionist paintings that challenged traditional forms of representation.

  • I will try to clarify a bit, beginning with the Frege-Russell conception of numbers as cardinals as applied by contemporary abstractionist philosophers of mathematics.

    Blog text (9)
  • Many modern artists have embraced an abstractionist style, focusing on colors and shapes rather than realism.

  • Her latest exhibit highlights abstractionist techniques that emphasize emotion over realistic depiction.

Synonyms

abstract
vsabstractionist
35 7.1

Art that uses shapes and colours instead of real objects

is a specialized label for artists who make that kind of art
nonobjective
vsabstractionist
  • Specialized
1 8.3

Art that does not show real people or things but uses shapes and colors

is used for works focused on visual elements rather than reality
nonrepresentational
vsabstractionist
  • Specialized
1 8.9

Art that does not show real things and focuses on color and shape

is the general abstract descriptor rather than a strict method
nonfigurative
vsabstractionist
  • Specialized
8.4

Art that does not show real people or things but uses shapes and colors

is focused on the broader abstract art category not only on figures
nonmimetic
vsabstractionist
  • Specialized
9.6

Not meant to copy real things, often showing abstract shapes or colours

is the general art term for work that rejects imitation of reality

Antonyms

Showing people or things so they look like real life

Surface Forms

abstractionist positive

Morphology

abstractionist = abstraction (semi-transparent) = abstract + ion + ist

The word is built from 'abstraction' plus '-ist', but the resulting sense is specialized to art and is only partly predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Abstractionist as an adjective comes from abstract, meaning 'not showing real things' or focused on ideas and forms rather than copies of nature. So an abstractionist style describes art that avoids realistic images and uses shapes, color, and feeling instead.