Abstract Fabulism
Abstract Fabulism (AbFab) is a new art movement, where complex stories, social commentaries or controversial and provocative issues are expressed through simple geometric monochromatic surfaces or shapes. It is a way of universal expression that complements our globalised culture, lifestyles, and aspirations in the 21st century. Naturally, geometric symbols that are already in wide use, such as religious emblems and country flags, are widely exploited. The movement builds intentionally on the Suprematism of Malevich, which was the most significant breakthrough in the arts of the 20th century. In the AbFab, title and price are integral parts of every artwork, and each piece has conditions of sale attached and preferred buyer specified. All these novel features complete the story, but additional comments are provided for art lovers not familiar with history, global politics, or particular social phenomena in different parts of our planet.
White Suprematism
Blue & Green & Something in Between
Kawabata’s Tombstone
Manifesto
Visual arts, and painting in particular, still have the ability to steer our societies through contemporary moral challenges, towards a better quality of life in general. Abstract Fabulism (AbFab) examines the quality of human life, from a level of a single individual to that of human species.
AbFab tries to convey complex stories, social commentaries, and provocative questions through geometric monochromatic surfaces or shapes. It is a way of universal expression that complements our globalised culture, lifestyles, and aspirations in the 21st century. Naturally, geometric symbols that are already in wide use, such as religious emblems and symbols, country flags, scientific symbols, etc., are widely exploited.
The movement builds on the Suprematism of Malevich, which was the most significant breakthrough in the arts of the 20th century. Malevich finished his development with “White on white” (1919), a white square that glides on a white canvas at the very threshold of visibility. In AbFab geometric shapes are given a new life, in commenting on social, political or historical issues that were previously inaccessible to abstract art directly, because of the many limitations of this art form. With no language, social or stylistic boundaries (except those imposed by the art movement itself), this new style explores human communication in its most rudimentary form.
All artwork is intentionally small to medium size, to avoid becoming decoration in rich peoples’ homes. All paintings are done as oil on canvas. This relatively slow technique allows time for contemplation of issues examined and also for self-examination. All sculpture and architecture should be in stone.
In AbFab title and price are integral parts of every artwork, and each piece has conditions of sale attached and a preferred buyer specified. All these novel features complete the story, but additional comments are provided for art lovers not familiar with the history of art, global politics, or particular social phenomena in different parts of our planet, and displayed next to the painting, both online and in public exhibitions. All artwork is copyright free and individuals and institutions are encouraged to copy, use, print, display or sell any copies or reproductions of any artwork or part of it. Originals are not to be sold, except to stipulated preferred buyers, as their intended locations (or absence from) complete the story. AbFab is a free art project that aspires to help create a free world. One can measure success in many different ways and one can become successful in a variety of circumstances, but creative processes require freedom. This holds for individuals and nations alike.
No issue should be exempted from the critical eye of AbFab and taboos are targeted first, as they hold the biggest bag of freedom-limiting social interactions. This may and should offend many individuals. For those who find themselves on this end, it is worth remembering that all artwork presented in the AbFab style are abstract compositions of monochromatic geometric shapes, and that art should be everything else but a simple decoration. Also, one should keep in mind that the original interpretation of any AbFab work by its creator is just one possible explanation. The spectator is encouraged to re-interpret every work anew, along with its price, preferred buyer, and conditions of sale, since they are all integral parts of one whole mental picture.
Gallery
Click an image to enlarge.
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White Suprematism
2010
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Threesome
2010
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Swelling
2011
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Sunset and Sunrise
2010
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Suicide
2010
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Religious Holiday
2010
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Penis Bonus Pax in Domus
2012
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Peace at any Cost
2011
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Past in Cage
2015
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Overpopulation
2010
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Opposites Attract
2011
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Openly Religious
2011
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New Peace
2010
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Kawabatas Tombstone
2010
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Intelligence
2010
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Inevitability
2010
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House of the Rising Sun
2011
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Homophobia
2011
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Happy Family
2011
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Great Divide
2011
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Freedom
2011
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Europeanization
2011
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Easy Target
2011
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Easy Puzzle
2010
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Crucifix
2010
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Cold War
2011
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Blue & Green & Something in Between
2015
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Big Boys Toys
2010
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Americanization
2011
Commissions
To promote Abstract Fabulism (AbFab) to people who don’t have a culture of visiting galleries (real or virtual), commissions may be taken for larger public spaces, such as parks, squares, and large landscaping projects. City planning for new developments is another place where AbFab can add meaning to our everyday lives and surroundings. There is no reason why a new highway or a train-track cannot be part of a large scale artwork that may tell a story of its time and people. And, not just any story, but one that inspires a better quality of life. Only one such commission will be taken every year and free of charge (except for the expenses). No commissions for paintings or sculptures will be taken.
Artist
Tomis Karan
1969 born in Krnjeusa, Yugoslavia, lives and works in Seoul, South Korea
In a parallel universe, and with a slightly longer name, Tomis is a scientist with a PhD in zoology. He has described more than 100 new species of crustaceans, and published on various scientific subjects, such as bird ecology, small mammal behavior, crustacean zoogeography, and cryptic speciation. Born in remote mountains of Bosnia and Hercegovina, he expressed an artistic talent very early, placing third at the state competition among third-graders. Unfortunately, he never saw his painting exhibited there, as his teacher took his own son to the capital! Mayor artistic outlet for Tomis since then has been figurative drawing for his scientific publications. It was only after an extended stay in Germany in 2009 that he became interested in abstract painting. Works of the Bauhaus school, and especially those of Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky, left a very strong impression. However, the strongest influence, and an inspiration to start painting at the age of 40, were the suprematist compositions of Kazimir Malevich. Writing of Friedrich Nietzsche and Fyodor Dostoyevsky are also important artistic influences, as is comedy of Jerry Seinfeld (thus this resume in third person).
Tomis has lived and worked in many different places, including Serbia (6 years), Croatia (1 year), Montenegro (5 years), Italy (2 years), Australia (10 years), Germany (1 year), and Korea (2 years). He currently holds three citizenships (Australian, Serbian, and Bosnian, with three valid passports!) and speaks five languages. A very keen traveler from an early age, both for work (sampling trips, conferences) and for pleasure, he was lucky to visit many different parts of our beautiful planet. Tomis is a keen sailor too, with his current yacht (a Westsail 32) kept in Mexico. He has no concept of home or nationality, especially because his wife and daughter travel everywhere with him. His cosmopolitan nature and strong atheistic beliefs make it easier to see through issues pertaining to national politics, religious conflicts, social customs or globalization. He believes art should be free, just, altruistic, and critical, and everything we do (or don’t do) must be directed towards creating a better quality of life for ourselves, for all people, and ultimately for all living things on this planet. Every insularism and selfishness are therefore labeled as shortsighted by Tomis, and frequently exposed as such in his paintings. He has no formal training in arts.
Exhibition
This page is still under construction. If you like this website and some of the paintings, perhaps you can recommend an exhibition to your favorite local contemporary gallery. AbFab is determined to reach even the most remote corners of the globe, and exotic locations will be given preference. All work is small to medium size, which makes transportation easy to organize. Unfortunately, no sales of artwork will be conducted during exhibitions (except to the specified preferred buyers), but a selection of reproductions and memorabilia may be available to purchase. In the meantime, you can inquire about the forthcoming exhibitions through the following temporary contact:
ContactContact
This page is still under construction. Representations are being solicited in several countries. In the meantime, you can inquire about sales, commissions, exhibitions or representations at the following temporary contact: