Why I Love Abstract Art (and Why You Don’t Have to “Get It” to Enjoy It)
Abstract Art Collection, The Corner Store Gallery.
Why I Love Abstract Art (and Why You Don’t Have to “Get It” to Enjoy It)
Words by Madeline Young
Abstract art isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. People often feel intimidated by it, like if they can’t recognise something familiar, they must be missing the point. But here’s the truth: you don’t need an art degree (or any special knowledge) to enjoy abstract art. You’re allowed to see it however you want! That’s half the magic.
Unlike a landscape or a still life, abstract art comes entirely from the artist’s imagination. That’s also what makes it so hard to create. It’s built from instinct, emotion, memory - all those things that don’t have clear shapes or lines. It’s why I find it endlessly fascinating. Each piece is like a little mystery that reveals something new the longer you live with it.
And no, your “two-year-old couldn’t do it”. That old line completely misses the point. Good abstract art might look simple, but it takes years of practice and a huge amount of trust in your own vision to pull off something that feels honest and alive.
You don’t have to like every piece to appreciate it. You don’t even have to understand it. The only thing you need is your own response, whatever that may be. Take some time to “really look” at some of the works below, what do you see in them?
If you’re curious, I’ve put together a selection of abstract works from our collection that might surprise you. Take a look or come visit us in Orange. I’d love to help you find something that speaks just to you.
Ann Gordon, Shimmer Field at Rangers View, O'Connell ll, 2024
Mixed media on canvas, 48×64cm framed
$1100
Daniela Cristallo, Two Moontide, 2025
Acrylic and dry ground pigment on canvas, 38×38cm framed in raw oak.
$710
