In its broadest sense, the word abstract is applied to any art that does not represent recognizable objects. Abstract African American or Black Art is art that departs significantly from natural appearances that are African or Black. This form of Afrocentric Art usually has modifications or changes of varying degrees in order to emphasize certain qualities or content but the subject matter remains Black or Afro-cultural. Recognizable references to the original appearances may be slight. The term is also used to describe Black art that is nonrepresentational.



This form of Ethnic art is not realistic, an image is often based on an actual subject, place, or feeling. Pure abstraction can be interpreted as any art in which the depiction of real objects has been entirely discarded and whose aesthetic content is expressed in a formal pattern or structure of shapes, lines and colors. This is often a common theme in African art. Nonrepresentational lines, colors, shapes, and forms replace accurate visual depiction of objects, landscape, and figures. The subjects often stylized, blurred, repeated or broken down into basic forms so that they become unrecognizable. Intangible subjects such as thoughts, emotions, and time are also expressed in the abstract Black art form.

This general term refers to works executed in accordance with the principle that lines, forms and colors possess aesthetic values which may be arranged into pleasing COMPOSITIONS devoid of normal subject matter. The principle is very old and can be traced back to Africa. Take a look at our fantastic selection of Abstract black art.