Swan Lake (2008) Painting by Brian Douglas Morrison

When surfing through Internet sites intended to encourage artists to show their work, I am surprised at some people's concept of the word "abstract". Is there any real "law"? Not exactly, every painter has the right to interpret the term at his or her own will. However, in the course of the last century, certain guide lines were established in the art world as to what "abstract art" imports. Moreover, we can always fall back on the verbal dictionary definitions. "Having only intrinsic form with no attempt at pictorial representation", is what Webster's dictionary states.

Serious artists are obliged to categorize their oeuvres for diverse reasons. If these works are to be exhibited, become the subject of criticism or you want to post images on the Internet alongside many others, it saves the collector and art enthusiast much time if they can search using generic categories or keywords, such as 'impressionist', 'conceptual', 'abstract', etc. It is important to get as close as possible – or leave it out entirely.

The discussion I would like to open is that these virtual galleries or sites for artists ought to recognize their responsibility and ensure that inscribed members categorize their works in an honest and precise manner. Art-orientated sites such as AbsoluteArts, Wotartist or ArtSlant are likely to have a team of competent collaborators, some of whom have an education in art history. Hence, they are qualified for editing incoming work.

On certain art sites I have often come across a picture in which a flower, portrait or animal was clearly recognizable in the thumbnail, yet the work had nevertheless been categorized as "abstract". Sure, in the manual execution there may have been a certain degree of abstraction, but the physical object could be plainly recognized. So, does this still fall under the term "abstract art" or should it be described differently? Nobody will argue that most paintings by Roberto Magnelli or Piet Mondrian are totally abstract. Yet, what about an engraving called "The Cats" by Johnny Friedlaender? If he had not added this title I doubt if I would have recognized anything. But I agree, he had the right. So, it appears some painters have got the wrong idea about "abstract", the term is just too convenient.

Brian D. Morrison, copyright © 2013

• Nationality: UNITED KINGDOM
• Date of birth : 1934
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary British Artists