Carmen Neely, To lean could be to fall., 2022. Courtesy of Mariane Ibrahim
Is Abstract Expressionism back?
A new generation of artists is building on the past to bring new life to a storied genre
Today, many younger painters have adopted many Abstract Expressionist techniques to move the tradition from its now-conventional, male-dominated past into a vivid present. The artists, among which Carmen Neely, Rachel Jones, Marley Freeman, and many more, mark a notable shift from last decade’s trends in abstraction, which tended to prioritize pleasing the market and resulted in the aesthetic often referred to as ‘Zombie Formalism.’ With rejuvenated practices, these artists - all of whom are showing at Art Basel Miami Beach this year - demonstrate what might be called Neo-Abstract Expressionism.
