Up until very recently, the notion of contemporary abstract art wasn't very appealing to me. Not for any particular reason, but partly due to the fact that there wasn't a whole lot of contemporary abstract art in the shows I was seeing in galleries, at least not in New York; and that which I did see wasn't all that appealing to be quite frank.

Something, though, changed in the past 6 or so months. Either I started to become more aware of contemporary abstract art or it suddenly became a bit trendy and now it's popping up all over. Case in point: the forthcoming exhibit at Saatchi Gallery in London entitled Abstract America: New Painting and Sculpture.

Abstract America presents the works of a radical new generation of American abstract painters, whose works surf between fresh cultural expression and postmodernist remix effortlessly, in the face of virtual realities and quicksilver new technologies. The artists are daring and inventive, their strategies broad and exhilarating, their exploration of abstract painting at this critical juncture invaluable.

Looking at the roster of artists involved, I'm shocked to recognize but a few names, although the prospect is exciting, as I get bored seeing the same 12 or so names peppered around in every show. Artists included: Carter, Joe Bradley, Kristin Baker, Francesca DiMattio, Ryan Johnson, Elizabeth Neel, Baker Overstreet, Amy Sillman, Garth Weiser, and a few of the usual suspects, who I'm purposely leaving out as they get enough press as it is.

Check out images of work by artists in the show here. If you click through on any of the artists' names, you'll find links to a bio, more images of work, and other relevant written materials.

Abstract America: New Painting and Sculpture
Various Artists
Saatchi Gallery / London
05.29 - 09.13.09