This article explains what defines abstract art , its origins, key characteristics and notable examples. Abstract art refers to works that deliberately move away from realistic depiction. Abstract art , painting , sculpture, or graphic art in which the portrayal of things from the visible world plays little or no part. In its strictest sense, abstract art is the art made out of forms not drawn from the visible world, and it is distinct from abstracting from appearances. Discover what is Abstract art and explore its key figures, movements, and how it challenges traditional ideas of visual representation.