Tachisme: A Forgotten Art Movement
When we think of art movements, names like Impressionism, Surrealism or Pop Art come to mind. But there is one movement that has been largely forgotten in the annals of art history – Tachisme.
Tachisme (from the French tache meaning “spot” or “stain”) was an abstract expressionist movement that emerged in France during the 1940s and 1950s. It was characterized by spontaneous brushstrokes, drips, and splatters of paint on canvas. Artists associated with this movement sought to express emotions through their work rather than depict recognizable objects.
Tachisme was a reaction against both traditional academic painting as well as geometric abstraction represented by artists such as Piet Mondrian and Kazimir Malevich. Instead, Tachistes embraced a more intuitive approach to painting where they allowed their subconscious minds to take over.
One of the most prominent figures associated with Tachisme was Georges Mathieu who believed that art should be about creating something new rather than imitating reality. In his paintings, he used bold colours and gestural brushstrokes to create energetic compositions filled with movement and rhythm.
Another important figure within this movement was Jean Dubuffet who coined the term “art brut” (raw art) which referred to artwork created outside of mainstream artistic culture. His own paintings were often heavily textured with layers upon layers of paint applied thickly onto the canvas.
Other notable artists associated with Tachisme include Pierre Soulages whose black-and-white abstract canvases utilized light reflection to create depth; Hans Hartung whose linear compositions resembled calligraphy; and Serge Poliakoff whose colourful squares and rectangles were arranged in rhythmic patterns across his canvases.
Despite its brief but influential existence in Europe, Tachisme never gained much traction in North America where Abstract Expressionism dominated the art world during this time period. Nevertheless, the movement’s influence can be seen in contemporary abstract painting and graffiti art which also emphasizes spontaneous mark-making and a rejection of traditional artistic conventions.
The legacy of Tachisme is not only evident in current art practices but also in the way we approach creativity more broadly. The movement’s emphasis on intuition, experimentation, and spontaneity has influenced various fields such as music, literature, and even business where innovation is often driven by taking risks and thinking outside the box.
In some ways, Tachisme represents a forgotten chapter in art history – an underappreciated movement that challenged conventional norms of what painting could be. But perhaps it is precisely this rebellion against tradition that makes Tachisme so relevant today. In our fast-paced world where conformity often reigns supreme, we could all benefit from embracing a bit of “spot” or “stain” – allowing ourselves to let go and create something new.