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Abstract Black and White Photography

ABSTRACT STYLE

Beginning in the early 20th century, abstract art became a leading style of modernism. Rather than portray the world in a way that represented reality, as had been the dominating style of Western art in the previous centuries, abstract paintings, prints and sculptures are marked by a shift to geometric forms, gestural shapes and experimentation with color to express ideas, subject matter and scenes.

Although abstract art flourished in the early 1900s, propelled by movements like Fauvism and Cubism, it was rooted in the 19th century. In the 1840s, J.M.W. Turner emphasized light and motion for atmospheric paintings in which concrete details were blurred, and Paul Cézanne challenged traditional expectations of perspective in the 1890s.

Some of the earliest abstract artists — Wassily Kandinsky and Hilma af Klint — expanded on these breakthroughs while using vivid colors and forms to channel spiritual concepts. Painter Piet Mondrian, a Dutch pioneer of the art movement, explored geometric abstraction partly owing to his belief in Theosophy, which is grounded in a search for higher spiritual truths and embraces philosophers of the Renaissance period and medieval mystics. Black Square, a daringly simple 1913 work by Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, was a watershed statement on creating art that was free “from the dead weight of the real world,” as he later wrote.

Surrealism in the 1920s, led by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Meret Oppenheim and others, saw painters creating abstract pieces in order to connect to the subconscious. When Abstract Expressionism emerged in New York during the mid-20th century, it similarly centered on the process of creation, in which Helen Frankenthaler’s expressive “soak-stain” technique, Jackson Pollock’s drips of paint, and Mark Rothko’s planes of color were a radical new type of abstraction.

Conceptual art, Pop art, Hard-Edge painting and many other movements offered fresh approaches to abstraction that continued into the 21st century, with major contemporary artists now exploring it, including Anish Kapoor, Mark Bradford, El Anatsui and Julie Mehretu.

Find original abstract paintings, sculptures, prints and other art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Abstract
Artist: Seb Janiak
Gravity - Liquid 19 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 19 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity Bulle d'air 01 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity Bulle d'air 01 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 01 (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 01 (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magnetized through the introduction of iron particles. Janiak introduced magnetic forces to the ferrofluid, moving the magnets into different configurations to cause the colloidal mixture to assume various forms that reveal the otherwise invisible nature of magnetic activity. The forms reveal ancient forces, those that shaped the universe at its beginning. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 51 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 51 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 2/2. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces that shape the physical universe. He creates images that blend science with creativity, analytics with the poetic. He lives and works in Paris, France. Janiak began his career as a graphic designer. While freelancing, he engaged with state-of-the-art technology, becoming a pioneer in the field of digital photography. His work gained him global attention, and he expanded into music video directing, fashion photography, and finally into fine art. Since 2009, he has focused on expanding the potential of contemporary analogue photography. Technique Since 2009, Janiak has only used basic photographic tools. He says, “I only allow myself the techniques which have been used in analogue photography since 1850. Namely, making adjustments to contrast and exposure, and using superimposition.” When a special effect is needed in order to achieve a particular shot, he finds a way to achieve it manually rather than through digital manipulation, for example by using refraction...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Large) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 99 (Large) (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magnetized through the introduction of iron particles. Janiak introduced magnetic forces to the ferrofluid, moving the magnets into different configurations to cause the colloidal mixture to assume various forms that reveal the otherwise invisible nature of magnetic activity. The forms reveal ancient forces, those that shaped the universe at its beginning. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 19 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 19 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 02 (Large) (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 02 (Large) (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible forms we see in the world, and then there are the conditions that allow those forms to exist. As a catalyst for his exploration of this topic, Janiak chose gravity, one of the most ubiquitous and easily observable forces, and the one that allows so many forms in the physical universe to exist. The photographs in these series show two types of matter—liquids and gasses—being manipulated by gravity. Form is frozen by the photographic process, but the process is ever changing depending on the shifting conditions of their environment. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces that shape the physical universe. He creates images that blend science with creativity, analytics with the poetic. He lives and works in Paris, France. Janiak began his career as a graphic designer. While freelancing, he engaged with state-of-the-art technology, becoming a pioneer in the field of digital photography. His work gained him global attention, and he expanded into music video directing, fashion photography, and finally into fine art. Since 2009, he has focused on expanding the potential of contemporary analogue photography. Technique Since 2009, Janiak has only used basic photographic tools. He says, “I only allow myself the techniques which have been used in analogue photography since 1850. Namely, making adjustments to contrast and exposure, and using superimposition.” When a special effect is needed in order to achieve a particular shot, he finds a way to achieve it manually rather than through digital manipulation, for example by using refraction...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Bulle d'air 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Bulle d'air 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form can...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Medium) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 99 (Medium) (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magnetized through the introduction of iron particles. Janiak introduced magnetic forces to the ferrofluid, moving the magnets into different configurations to cause the colloidal mixture to assume various forms that reveal the otherwise invisible nature of magnetic activity. The forms reveal ancient forces, those that shaped the universe at its beginning. Seb Janiak is a photographic artist whose work explores conditions in which opposites can co-exist, revealing the visual characteristics of the hidden forces that shape the physical universe. He creates images that blend science with creativity, analytics with the poetic. He lives and works in Paris, France. Janiak began his career as a graphic designer. While freelancing, he engaged with state-of-the-art technology, becoming a pioneer in the field of digital photography. His work gained him global attention, and he expanded into music video directing, fashion photography, and finally into fine art. Since 2009, he has focused on expanding the potential of contemporary analogue photography. Technique Since 2009, Janiak has only used basic photographic tools. He says, “I only allow myself the techniques which have been used in analogue photography since 1850. Namely, making adjustments to contrast and exposure, and using superimposition.” When a special effect is needed in order to achieve a particular shot, he finds a way to achieve it manually rather than through digital manipulation, for example by using refraction...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 01 (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 01 (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofl...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity Bulle d'air 01 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity Bulle d'air 01 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 02 (Large) (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 02 (Large) (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity Bulle d'air 05 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity Bulle d'air 05 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form canno...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 58 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 58 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist w...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 51 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 51 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 2/2. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 14 (Medium) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 14 (Medium) (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Bulle d'air 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Bulle d'air 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form can...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 83 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 01 (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 01 (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofl...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 19 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 19 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 14 (Medium) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magnet...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Medium) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magne...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Large) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Magnetic radiation 99 (Large) (Abstract photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Large) (Abstract photography)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magne...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 21 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Large)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magne...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 58 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 58 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Bulle d'air 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Bulle d'air 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form can...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity Bulle d'air 01 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity Bulle d'air 01 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 02 (Medium)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 02 (Large)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist without an environment. There are the visible...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity Bulle d'air 05 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity Bulle d'air 05 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Bulles d'air series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form canno...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 14 (Medium)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5 In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magnet...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 05 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist wi...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography)
Located in London, GB
Gravity - Liquid 04 (Abstract Photography) Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Gravity, Liquid series, Janiak creates visual representations of the idea that form cannot exist w...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Magnetic radiation 99 (Medium)
Located in London, GB
Chromogenic print. Edition 1/5. In his Magnetic Radiation series, Janiak reveals the hidden world of magnetism by photographing ferrofluids. A ferrofluid is a liquid substance magne...
Category

2010s Abstract Black and White Photography

Materials

C Print

Abstract black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Abstract black and white photography available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Seb Janiak, Kimberly Schneider Photography, Hsu Yun Chin, and Osheen Harruthoonyan. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Photographic Paper and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Abstract black and white photography, so small editions measuring 3 inches across are also available. Prices for black and white photography made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $140 and tops out at $28,000, while the average work sells for $1,250.

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