Neo-expressionism

Neo-expressionism is a style of painting and sculpture that can be characterized by bold colors, expressive brushstrokes, and historic references. The movement attempted to express stories through art that defied realistic techniques. The style of art is also highly associated with the abstraction of subjects and context.

The emergence

The contemporary form of art began emerging in the late 1970s and captured the art market until the mid-1980s. The movement drew heavy inspiration from German Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism. Neo-expressionism is said to be developed as a contrasting response to the Minimalism and Conceptual Art, prevailing in the early 1970s. The movement developed simultaneously in different parts of the world, with each artist having their language of paintings. But a few elements were consistent throughout the art style. The paintings were raw, vibrant, and highly abstracted. The brushstrokes were often rough and depicted the violent emotions of the artists. It led to the artists being called Neue Wilden (‘The new wild ones’; ‘New Fauves’). The neo-expressionists were a diverse convergence of artists, relatively young, who rejected the traditional composition. The style garnered the worldwide attention of the art market and subsequently the art critics. The spotlight was also due to the media frenzy around the neo-expressionists and their shocking style of art.

Neo-expressionist art is the multiplicity of a diverse range of artists that is better understood by considering individual artists.

Significant Personalities

Georg Baselitz

“Art is visceral and vulgar – it’s an eruption” - Georg Baselitz, German painter.

The most influential Neo-expressionist and is considered the father of the movement. His art rejects the traditional composition theories and a dive into the idea of storytelling through art. His paintings express the inner workings of his mind, characterized by figuration and abstraction. Baselitz is well known for his inverted paintings that aim at disturbing the viewer and leading them to pay closer attention. The inversion was also his way of abstraction.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

“I don’t think about art when I’m working. I try to think about life” – Jean-Michel Basquiat, American painter.

Credits: Artland | Undiscovered Genius of the Mississippi Delta by Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1983

Basquiat was a former graffiti artist who entered the elite world of art within a few years. He is one of the most celebrated Neo-expressionists for his visual statements through art. His journey began with scribbling and creating his versions of comic books, cartoons, and biblical scenes, on scrap papers. But the dominant influence on his art was by a medical encyclopedia. He converged it with the power and vulnerability of marginalized bodies, giving bold expressions of cultural scenes. Basquiat repurposed present-day experiences and art history and made collages as a way of visual conversation. Two examples of such collages are “Toussaint L’Overture versus Savonarola” and “Undiscovered Genius of the Mississippi Delta” both created in 1983. Both works of art are a touch on distinct subjects but echo the same style of details.

Emil Nolde

“Color is strength, strength is life” – Emil Nolde, German painter.

According to Nolde, the Bible was the only book he ever read and is heavily reflected in his art. Though the paintings carry a sense of dualism and are more than a representation of the biblical scenes. Nolde traveled to various countries documented the people. He is observed to have a deep interest in racial identity from the tribal people depicted in his paintings. He has boldly captured the essence of the nations through the color contrasts and defiant brushstrokes.

Francesco Clemente

“My portraits are half what I see and the Other half is invented or dictated by the person and the painting” - Francesco Clemente, Italian artist.

Clemente is known for his explorations with symbols, portraits, and the human figure. He studied architecture in Italy in 1970 before moving to India for three years. The Hindu spiritual texts, local craftsmen, and painters proved to be a source of inspiration for his art. He relocated to New York in 1981 and began collaborating with artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Allen Ginsberg. Clemente is a celebrated artist who seeks new ways of expression and continues to create dramatic and dreamlike paintings.

Julian Schnabel, Elizabeth Murray, Anselm Kiefer, Maria Lassnig, David Salle, Eric Fischl, Philip Guston the list goes on, were the leading forces of the Neo-expressionist movement. They all transformed the world of art and brought new meaning to expressionism.

The end of a story

The movement can aptly be called the tail end of Modernism. It showcased the values of raw expressions and abstraction to deliver bold statements through art. But the movement was controversial due to its relation to the marketability of art. The art-buying public was commercialized, and the return to mythic was highly criticized. The movement also saw women sidelined as artists and their omissions from exhibitions. And subsequently, the movement disappeared.

Art and art movements often contain a history of controversies, and Neo-expressionism was no exception. Neo-expressionists tended to embrace primitive painting techniques and vibrant colors to express something with greater depth. And this proved to be the hallmark for distinguishing the movement.

Credits: Ideel Art | The Brucke Chorus by Georg Baselitz, 1983

Credits: The Broad | Untitled (Skull) by Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1982

Credits: Wikiart | Mocking of Christ by Emil Nolde, 1909

Credits: Wikiart | Abbraccio by Francesco Clemente, 1983

Credits: Wikiart | St. Francis in Ecstasy by Julian Schnabel, 1980

Credits: Wikiart | Scarsdale by Eric Fischl, 1986

Credits: Wikiart | Painting, Smoking, Eating by Philip Guston, 1972