abstract expressionism

noun

often capitalized A&E
: an artistic movement of the mid-20th century comprising diverse styles and techniques and emphasizing especially an artist's liberty to convey attitudes and emotions through nontraditional and usually nonrepresentational means
abstract expressionist noun or adjective often capitalized A&E

Examples of abstract expressionism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Their work, characterized by a cool detachment and a bold, often satirical engagement with popular culture, marked a definitive departure from the abstract expressionism that had dominated the previous generation. Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Her style developed in tandem with New York’s abstract expressionism, yet her primary models were European and Bolivian. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2024 Gene Davis’s trademark stripes don’t appear in his two entries, painted in the 1950s under the stormy influence of abstract expressionism. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2023 The exhibit also underlines Stallone’s early artistic inspiration from abstract expressionism and artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2023 While she has long since been acknowledged as an important 3D representative of abstract expressionism, the Carter exhibition and catalog explore the process and influences that led to her definitive creations. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023 But the exhibition was later credited with bringing abstract expressionism to Australia. Yan Zhuang, BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2023 Centered in New York, a powerful artistic reaction was what soon was dubbed abstract expressionism. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 16 June 2023 Over several hours, tennis becomes a form of abstract expressionism. Rory Smith, New York Times, 9 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abstract expressionism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abstract expressionism was in 1922

Dictionary Entries Near abstract expressionism

Cite this Entry

“Abstract expressionism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstract%20expressionism. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.

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