Why expressionist landscape painters speek better to me than painters of traditional landscapes

To begin with, art for me has always been a form of interpretation of reality, even if we think of hyperrealism. It is through this interpretation that artists find their voice and convey their unique perspectives on the world around us. While traditional landscape artists focus more on recreating reality, expressionist landscape painters translate reality through universal language of emotions.

How expressionist landscape painters speak to audience?

To begin with, art for me has always been a form of interpretation of reality, even if we think of hyperrealism. It is through this interpretation that artists find their voice and convey their unique perspectives on the world around us. While traditional landscape artists focus more on recreating reality, expressionist landscape painters translate reality through universal language of emotions.

‘The Scream’, Edvard Munch

I am not going to write about history of art and the origins of expressionism. What is important to me, it is the fact that after 100 years, artists again feel need to speak with high load of emotions. Contemporary expressionist art again reflects both existential anxiety and spiritual revival, like that of E. Munch’s times. It looks as if some life cycle is repeating again.

Strong emotions, positive or negative, are the primary feature of art created by expressionist landscape painters.

Emotions are common to all people, however they are expressed differently in various cultures. But even if there are nations with better self-control of emotions, they way artist express feelings is easily decoded by everyone. It is because the way people behave depends on upbringing, but no way of educating may twist their true inner emotions. What we express outwardly is a mask imposed on us by culture.

Everybody shares the same emotions regardless of culture and geographical location. Thus, expressionist paintings speak to people with universal language. The language of emotions that have the power to unite people.

Beautiful traditional landscape painting may not be enough

Like the title of this paragraph indicates, traditional landscapes do not speek to me strong enough. Although I love such works, who wouldn’t love beautiful views, I expect that piece of art leaves me moved. The role of art should be something more than decorative aspects. Art should make an impact on the viewer, either emotional or psychological, preferably both. It should work like a stamp leaving its image imprinted in our heart and mind. It is why I prefer expressionist landscape paintings to traditional ones.

The other thing is that to make beautiful landscape paintings, we can use landscape photography. At least it serves to record reality and it allows for a wide range of interpretation as well.

To make a beautiful landscape art, we can use landscape photography. At least it serves to record reality and it allows for a wide range of interprteation as well.

Stream, 2010

Why many contemporary landscape paintings are expressionist?

The way artist create is highly defined by outer world. In these days, we all feel pressure, uncertainty and we must deal with overload of often contradictory information. This all makes us anxious and moved strongly. For an artist the best way to let emotions out is to create a new piece of artwork. To speak out strong emotions, either expressionist abstract art, or expressionist landscape art seem the best way and probably one of a few non-destructive ones. Of course, not everyone feels obliged to express their emotions so outwardly and it is good as well. Some people need to scream and some to whisper their truth. However, most of contemporary landscape paintings I see lets say on Instagram, falls into expressionist category.

Below, there are a few of my expressionist abstract landscapes.