Abstract art is a style of art that emphasizes the use of colors, shapes, and forms without representing recognizable objects or figures. In abstract art, the artist seeks to express emotions, feelings, and ideas through non-representational elements.

From a psychoanalytic perspective, perception is a complex process that involves the interpretation of sensory stimuli based on past experiences, emotions, and unconscious desires. According to psychoanalytic theory, our perceptions are shaped by our early childhood experiences and our unconscious desires, which can manifest in distorted or symbolic forms.

Some psychoanalysts have argued that abstract art represents a more authentic expression of reality than representational art because it reflects the complex and often unconscious processes of perception. In this view, abstract art can be seen as a direct manifestation of the artist’s inner psyche rather than a mere representation of external reality.

However, it is important to note that this view is not universally accepted in the art world or in psychoanalytic theory. There are many different interpretations of abstract art, and some artists may use the style for purely aesthetic or formal reasons, rather than as a means of expressing unconscious desires or emotions.

By Ari Sotiriou M.A. psychodynamic psychotherapist co-founder Online Therapy Clinic