The world of contemporary art is a complex one at best. A question that I often ask myself is whether or not to frame my art. To date, I have chosen to frame specific abstracts for exhibition and many other works remain unframed to give art collectors the option to choose their own style of frame. In addition, leaving larger canvas artworks unframed also reduces the international shipping cost for the collector.
To Frame or Not to Frame
Image: 'Deep Blue I' Original Abstract Painting Frame ©Bridget Bradley.
Often considered a fundamental aspect of the art market: is the framing of abstract works. For decades, artistic conventions have governed the way artworks are presented, often resulting in the standard approach of framing contemporary abstract art. It’s as if to impose order and control on what is often the artist’s free expression of emotion and creativity. It has been proposed that this convention constrains the very essence of abstract art, rendering it less authentic and valuable in the process.
Abstract Art Beyond Boundaries
Image: Contemporary Abstract Expressionism Artist Bridget Bradley in Studio
Abstract art, by its very nature, defies representation and adheres to a fluid, intuitive approach. The artist's brushstrokes are often wild and unpredictable, as if poured directly from the emotional wellspring of their being. This untamed energy is precisely what makes abstract art so captivating; it taps into our primal experiences, resonating with us on a deep, visceral level. For example, I paint on the floor for most of my abstract art. The whole action painting and gestural process, not only results in painted edges but the paint extends well beyond the boundaries of the canvas as I create.
Unframed Abstract Art
Image:' LABYRINTH' original Abstract Expressionism Painting Edges © Bridget Bradley
When an abstract artwork is sold unframed, we're not only avoiding the constraints of traditional framing but also allowing the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the raw emotional power of the piece. The unframed state becomes an integral part of the work itself, blurring the lines between art and experience. It's as if the artist has declared, ‘This is me, in all my mess and vulnerability.’
Unframed abstract art in a sense reflects the raw personal experiences and emotions of the artist, a shared language that transcends traditional boundaries of beauty or taste. It's no coincidence that some of the most prized works in contemporary art collections are those sold unframed.
Dynamic Abstract Art
Image: 'BLACKHAT' Freshly Painted Abstract Expressionism Painting ©Bridget Bradley
Framing, some would argue, can be seen as a metaphorical cage that confines the artwork to traditional notions of beauty and order. By imposing a rigid frame, we're essentially asking the artist to restrict their own creative process, to sanitize their emotions and transform them into something neat and manageable. But this is precisely what abstract art resists; it refuses to be contained.
When an artwork is framed, it often becomes a static, two-dimensional entity, stripped of its dynamic energy. The frame creates a physical barrier between the viewer and the artwork, separating them from the raw emotions that drove the artist's creation. By removing this constraint, viewers are able to engage more with the painting, allowing themselves to become one with its expression of colour, movement and energy.
Consider the works of Pollock, (one of my favourite abstract expressionists) or Kandinsky, artists who revolutionized abstract art by embracing its inherent spontaneity and unpredictability. Their canvases are not static entities but dynamic, kinetic experiences that seem to have a life.
As an abstract expressionism artist myself, I offer most of my contemporary artworks unframed for these very reasons. However, I concede that sometimes framing makes sense for particular abstract and so I have decided to frame.
Abstract Art and Value
The value of abstract art lies not in its aesthetic appeal (although, it's depends on your interpretation) but in the emotional resonance it evokes. By purchasing unframed works, collectors are not only preserving the artist's intent but also allowing themselves to experience a more authentic connection with the art.
Benefits of Unframed Abstract Art
Image: 'COMET" Original Abstract Painting on Canvas Painted Edges © Bridget Bradley
The benefits of unframed abstract art extend beyond the collector themselves; they also have a profound impact on the understanding of art itself. By taking this unconventional approach, we're forcing a re-evaluation of traditional notions of the value and meaning in art.Simply, this alternative approach, acknowledges that abstract art is not just about technical skill or intellectual curiosity but about raw emotion, vulnerability, and connection.
In the end, it's not about decor or filling a space on a wall. It's about allowing the artwork to breathe, expand its boundaries and connect with us on a deeper level. By investing in unframed abstract art, collectors are not only supporting the creative process they're also participating in the freeing of artwork from expectations, and preconceptions.
Final Thoughts
In my own words, I create art by capturing my intense emotions and share them through my energising, uplifting language of colour.
In this ever-changing arena of contemporary abstract art, it's essential that collectors and art lovers, remain open-minded. The unframed abstraction is not just a trend; it's a transformation, one that brings freedom from the constraints of traditional art-making, confronting emotions, experiences, and connection with the creative process. By offering abstract paintings unframed, I hope to offer collectors the opportunity to honour this artistic philosophy.
So the next time you find yourself standing before an abstract artwork, I invite you to take a step back, imagine it without a frame. Allow yourself to become immersed in the energy that it exudes. In doing so, you'll experience the artwork on a profound level which adds value in a personal sense.
As a result, I suspect, a new world of meaning, value, and beauty in abstract art will be experienced. One that lies not in the physical confines of a frame but in the sheer vitality of the human spirit itself.
