Abstract America

The abstract became a powerful force in 20th-century art, and nowhere moreso than in America. In the 21st century a radical generation of abstract painters has emerged, reacting to the new world of digital communication as powerfully as their predecessors once reacted to the post–World War II era. As Max Henry writes in his introduction, "The American Dream of the 20th century does not exist any more. It is in itself an abstraction." The new artists' counterpart might be the DJ in this age of the "remix," downloading their raw material and turning to Photoshop as a primary creative tool. Hundreds of works and detail views here—up to 22 x 11 inches—survey the work of 42 artists who grew up in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.