Essential Differences Between Abstract Art and Representation Art

There are several differences between representational art and abstract art.

Representational art is a image that is very realist, containing objects which can be easily recognised at first glance by any viewer. In representational art the artist attempts to reproduce scenes or portraits as they would appear physically.  As shown in the image below mountains, river, trees are clearly visible which would make this image representational art.

On the other hand abstract art is not an accurate representation of a scene or an object. Abstract art usually represents the artist mood and emotion, using shapes, lines, bright colours and form. Abstract art stimulates thought, making you think what the artist is trying to put across. Below is an example of abstract art.

                           My representation of Abstract Art

Afghan Girl

The above photo is the famous "Afghan Girl" picture which was featured in National Geographic 1985 publication.  The photo was taken by Steve McCurry.

The picture was of a orphaned afghan girl Sharbat Gula at Nasir Bagh refugee camp in 1984. Gula was a student in an informal school within the refugee camp and McCurry seized a rare opportunity to photograph her.

I was intrigued by this photo, the eyes of the girl was so intense with pain.  Her facial expression shows youth and innocence with deep sadness, lost and struggle. I wanted to capture that in my replica.

I began by hanging a green scarf which acted as the green wall in the background of the original picture.  My model which was my daughter wore a brown head scarf which was similar to the one the girl in the picture wore.  She was sat on a small stool so she could be relaxed and not look posed.

To take this picture, I used Canon 1100d camera.  My camera was set to Manual, f 5.6 at 1/160, ISO 200 with flash. Camera focal length was 44.0mm.  I also used a tripod and a remote shutter release to keep the camera steady and making easier to direct my model.

Though it was a bit difficult to get the facial expression right because I was working with a small child, I think the photo shoot was successfully. It took a few frames to get the right shot but the final shot was extremely identical to the original photo.

I did minimal retouching to this picture in Photoshop. I have achieved what I set out to do in this picture perfectly, from the expression of the face to the very subtle colours.

My Prospective of Wassily Kandinskys Interior My Dining Room

                                                              Interior My Dining Room

This painting reminds me of the old Moroccan style kitchens in the early 1900's.  The colours are bright and vibrant, yet at the same time rustic. Though it is abstract you can see what is represented in the painting.  Example the dining table in the foreground is clear with table setting and a chair at average size.  There is a light fixture hanging from the roof and also on the cabinet in the corner of the room.

The dimensions of the doors are well defined so you can identify the division of rooms.

The focal point of the room is the cabinet in the corner of the room, as it is the darkest object in the room compared to the brighter colours which surrounds it.