People respond to abstract art with a variety of comments along the lines of “what is it” and “what’s the point”.
These kinds of responses usually say more about the viewer than about the artwork itself. Understanding where they come from helps you respond honestly instead of defensively.
The question “what is it?” often comes from people who are used to art that shows recognizable things, like paintings of objects or photos of real places. For them, art is supposed to show something familiar, so abstract art feels confusing because it breaks that expectation. When someone asks this question, they are not just looking for a label—they are expressing that they feel lost. Their usual way of understanding art isn’t working, and they are unsure how to respond.
The question “what’s the point?” is a bit different and often feels more intense. It can suggest that the artist is being deliberately unclear or trying to trick people, as if abstract art were a kind of scam. This doubt has been around for a long time, and it’s not completely unfounded. Some abstract art uses style to cover up a lack of substance. But the same can be said for bad representational art. People often ask this question only about abstract art, suggesting they're unfamiliar with it, rather than a genuine critique.
In serious abstract art, the subject isn’t missing; it’s just not a physical object. The subject could be the way colors interact, the tension between shapes, a certain quality of light, or even an emotion that’s hard to name. Abstract art is based on the idea that visual experience can express things that words or realistic images can’t. This isn’t about avoiding meaning; it’s about aiming for something different.
The real answer to “what’s the point?” is that the point is the experience you have when you look at the art. It’s about how certain colors together can feel tense or peaceful, how a line can seem harsh or soft, or how the arrangement of shapes can create a sense of movement in a still image. These effects happen whether or not you have a way to explain them. Sometimes, people feel uncomfortable with abstract art because they are moved by something they can’t easily describe, and they mistake that feeling for meaninglessness. But things that truly have no meaning usually don’t make us feel anything at all.
The best way to respond to these questions isn’t to explain the artwork, since explanations often sound defensive and don’t really change how someone experiences the piece. Instead, try to guide them back to their own reactions: ask what they feel when they look at the art, rather than what they think it is. This kind of question is more helpful, and for those willing to consider it, it can lead to new insights.