Kyle A. Dunn (*1987, Oakland, USA) is an ultra-contemporary artist whose work is often associated with “The New Abstraction.” He is known for optical illusions and striking visual effects generated through the deliberate arrangement of contrasting colors, lines, and forms. Dunn constructs recurring patterns and repetitive structures that can produce an illusory sense of movement or vibration, activating the picture plane with a heightened optical energy. In his newest work, Internal Dialogue—presented publicly for the first time in this exhibition—Dunn employs the stark contrast of black and white to create visual tension. Through the precise placement and modulation of lines and shapes, he generates a compelling dynamism that seems to oscillate between stability and motion.
Dunn’s paintings invite viewers to examine the mechanics of perception and to test the limits of seeing. They play with the ways our brains process patterns and forms, creating an aesthetic experience that is as intellectual as it is immediate. His works are not only visually arresting; they also prompt reflection on the nature of perception itself—on how reality is constructed through the act of looking.
“The New Abstraction” refers to a current in contemporary art in which artists move away from traditional depiction of objects and recognizable forms, focusing instead on abstract strategies. Over recent decades, the movement has gained increasing relevance and encompasses a broad range of approaches and techniques. It is characterized by a diversity of expressions, often rooted in the use of varied media and materials. Artists working within this field seek to create complex compositions capable of eliciting both emotional and intellectual responses. Drawing on diverse cultural influences and combining different stylistic languages, they form a multiplicity of voices and perspectives that reflect the complexity of contemporary society.
A defining feature of this movement is the heightened significance of color, texture, and surface. Artists experiment with methods that produce distinctive visual effects—through layered applications of paint, the use of unconventional materials, or by extending the boundaries of the frame and canvas. Equally central to “The New Abstraction” is the inclusion of the viewer in the artistic process. Through interactive installations or the integration of digital technologies, artists establish a direct relationship between artwork and audience, enabling each viewer to experience and interpret the work in an individual and personal way..
