Maximalism: More is More at Shapero Modern

art, exhibition

Front view Shapero Modern Gallery, Maddox St London Photo. Shapero Modern

Maximalism, the celebration of excess in art, emerged as a reaction to the Minimalism trend of the 1960s. Artists enthusiastically embraced the idea of overwhelming their canvases and printing plates with an abundance of techniques, materials, and colors. The ethos of ‘More is More’ shines a spotlight on the aesthetic principles championed by the key figures of Maximalism. These artists were driven by a desire to shatter the confines of Minimalism's conventions.

Maximalism finds its origins intertwined with Neo-Expressionism, a movement that defiantly countered the stark simplicity of 1960s Minimalism. As the late 1970s rolled around, luminaries like Frank Stella, Sam Francis, and Harold Cohen embraced vibrant and varied color palettes while fusing diverse ideas and concepts within single artworks. For this select group, Maximalism evolved into a tool for expression, harnessing the tension arising from clashes between contrasting colors, patterns, and shapes. Their works stood as dynamic opposition to the subdued and understated palettes of Minimalism.

The onslaught of Maximalism posed a challenge to the established norms of abstract art, drawing inspiration from the burgeoning multiculturalism of the Western world. Consequently, Maximalist art frequently incorporates techniques, materials, and imagery from non-Western artistic traditions. In certain instances, artists seamlessly weave striking patterns from Indian textile heritage into abstract compositions reminiscent of American Abstract Expressionism. British artist Howard Hodgkin's collection of Indian art, coupled with his firsthand experiences in the country, wielded considerable influence over his Maximalist creations.

Maximalism embraces the intricacies of artistic creation, a complexity Minimalism aimed to downplay, by amalgamating and layering mediums, patterns, and forms. In contrast to Minimalists like Donald Judd, who distilled art to fundamental geometric elements, Maximalists seek to expose the inherent intricacies of artistic concepts through an amalgamation of diverse styles and techniques. The artists highlighted in this exhibition—Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, Sam Francis, Harold Cohen, Pia Fries, Ivor Abrahams, Sol LeWitt, Howard Hodgkin, and William Tillyer—may diverge in their approaches, yet they are unequivocally bound by their pivotal roles within the Maximalist movement.

LeWitt, Sol, Tondo Stars, 2002, center

Stella, Frank, Atvatabar I, 1995, right

Francis, Sam, Senza Titolo III, 1987 left

Cohen, Harold, Untitled, (Pink), 2005, right

Francis, Sam, Trietto 4, 1991, left

Stella, Frank, Despairia, from Imaginary Places, 1995

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