The abstract world of Kandinsky – abstract shapes

Kandinsky felt that he could express feelings and music through colours and shapes in his artworks. For example, he thought that yellow created the crisp sound of a brass trumpet. The shapes he was most interested in were the circle, triangle, and the square. He thought the triangle showed aggressive feelings, the square, calm feelings, and the circle, spiritual feelings.

Look at these examples of his work. Can you pick the geometric shapes in them? Consider what you think he was feeling and thinking when he created these artworks.

Look at the diagrams of different shapes and lines. Even when painted in black, they give off different emotions, feelings or thoughts when you look at them. Some of them might make you think of anger or noise or speed. Some may make you feel calm or confident or happy. Each image will mean different things to different people.

Think about what they mean to you. You might like to include some in your artwork.

Now let's add some colour! What do different colours make you think of?

Notice how the same shape in different colours can make you think of something different.

You can also explore using different edges and shapes – hard and soft, light and heavy, solid and transparent. All these things enable you to add emotion and help tell the story of your pictures.

Think about what we have learnt about lines, shapes and colours.

Create an abstract artwork using the following steps:

Look at these spectacular Kandinsky-inspired artworks from students in NSW public schools as part of the Operation Art project. Read their descriptions to see how they were inspired to create their works.

One of Kandinsky's favourite things to do was to listen to music to inspire his artwork.

You too are going to listen to music and see what images and feelings you think about when you are listening to the music.

First, watch the videos to see some of the images that Kandinsky was inspired to draw from music.

Then it will be your turn!