Modern Abstract Art: Celebrating Black Artists
The world of modern abstract art may first appear as a chaotic spread of color, lines, and shapes with no rhyme or reason. Take a moment to look a little deeper.
Over the past year the Great Big Canvas curation team has made great strides in expanding our social awareness and, in turn, expanding our Art collection to include captivating imagery from more diverse points of view. This is Part Two of our three-part series to highlight unique perspectives from Black artists coinciding with the celebration of Black History Month.
“Abstract art can be full of mood as any realistic art.” – Carrol C. Platt
The world of modern abstract art may first appear as a chaotic spread of color, lines, and shapes with no rhyme or reason. Take a moment to look a little deeper. Those individual elements combine to create a powerful impact, capturing elusive emotions, and make a bold statement. Whether the artist is reacting to the world around them, capturing a particular moment through color, or expressing their inner thoughts on the canvas, abstract art seeks to open a dialog between the art and the audience (that’s you!). In part two of Great Big Canvas’s Black History month series, take a moment to feel a connection with these talented contemporary abstract artists:
Nikki Chu
Toronto native Nikki Chu has had a passion to design since childhood. As both an artist and interior designer, Nikki loves to combine colors and patterns from her culture with modern lines and an eye for current trends. The end result? Her collection of unique and glamorous paintings! She now works out of LA and Dallas creating new art and helping others design beautiful spaces. Keep up with her latest projects on her page here.
Samuel Dixon
Abstract art is not always unknown forms and colors. Abstract impressionist Samuel Dixon re-creates the world around him in loosely rendered watercolors. Through experimenting with lines and colors, he infuses motion and unique emotions into each subject. Learn more about the artist in his own words here.
EttaVee Art
Artist, designer and social media influencer, Jessi Raulet, is well known for her hand-painted, bright and bold designs. Using vibrantly optimistic color palettes, Jessi’s work radiates good vibes. EttaVee Art was born in 2013, when Jessi moved to Paris for love and started creating colorful fine art pieces and designs to brighten up her surroundings. Her art is inspired by life in France, travel adventures, tropical settings, colorful fruit and pop culture.
Toni Point
Co-founder of the New Orleans-based art duo The Collective Shop, Toni Point creates art blending modern color with nostalgic imagery. In another mashup of old and new, Toni’s work features traditional block-prints techniques dating back to some of the earliest methods of creating art, using limited color palettes and thick geometric forms, in her contemporary compositions.
Alloyius Mcilwaine
Philadelphia native Alloyius Mcilwaine creates bold, colorful freestyle abstract art. A self-taught artist, his journey to fine art started at age 3 recreating his favorite comic book images, then into hand-painted custom t-shirts and creation of Cultures Clothing Company. Moving from cotton fabric to canvas was another natural growth when his love of combining colors and graffiti-influenced style inspired him to experiment with freestyle abstract art - aka art that is improvised on the spot without any predefined concept or idea or rules.
Still think you might not ‘understand’ abstract art? Have you ever felt something inexplicable stir inside your chest when seeing a particular pair of colors interact or a bold stroke crisscross a canvas - if so, then you’ve got it! Art is all about experiencing emotion in the moment, so don’t be afraid to incorporate a piece that moves you into your home.
We love to hear what you think about these pieces or how you decorate with modern abstract art! Chat with us on Facebook or Instagram or Explore All Art by Black Artists.
We believe art wields the power to inspire, energize, and transform people and places. Our team of curators and craftspeople are passionate about providing art that meets your unique vision and style.