Exploring the Meaning and Value Behind The Most Debated Art Genre
Ed Sheeran’s venture into abstract art has reignited conversations around what makes art meaningful and valuable. In this article, we explore why abstract art resonates deeply, how diverse abstract styles can complement your home, and practical tips for first-time collectors looking to begin their journey.
Photograph: Ellie Lawrie/Prudence Cuming Associate
When Ed Sheeran swapped his guitar for a brush, few expected the conversation to ignite. His recent release of abstract artworks, vivid, spontaneous, and emotionally charged, has quickly gone viral, capturing headlines and sparking a debate that goes far beyond his own creative venture. Is it art? Does it have value? Could anyone have done it? These questions have circled abstract art for decades, and now, thanks to Sheeran, they are back in the mainstream.
At Wyecliffe Galleries, we welcome this cultural moment. It is a chance to talk about what art really is, why abstract art matters, and how collectors, both new and seasoned, can find meaning, beauty, and value in even the most unconventional forms.
Abstract Art is More Than Just Marks on a Canvas
Abstract art has always provoked strong feelings. By its very nature, it leaves room for interpretation. Without a literal subject to recognise, viewers are invited to engage emotionally, imaginatively, and often personally. It is precisely this openness that makes abstract art by artists like Allan Storer or Alison Johnson so enduring and collectible.
Critics of Sheeran’s work have pointed out that his paintings mimic the style of greats like Jackson Pollock, suggesting a lack of depth or originality. But dismissing abstract work based on appearance alone overlooks something essential: intention. Art is not always about technical mastery; it is about communication, expression, and perspective. Even when a painting looks simple, the context in which it was made, and the feelings it evokes, can be complex.
Within our own collection at Wyecliffe, we showcase a broad spectrum of abstract approaches. Some artists explore geometric abstraction, using structured lines and colour fields to explore harmony and balance, such as Scott Bauer. Others work in fluid abstraction, pouring and manipulating paint to create ethereal, organic effects, notably Brenda Herd. Some create abstractions of other well known genres, like Michael Claxton's soft and aetherial abstract seascapes. Each style speaks to different collectors for different reasons, and that diversity is something to celebrate.
A beautiful example of the meeting point between abstract fluidity and nature-inspired motifs can be found in the works of Kate Taylor. Often credited with introducing an aqueous approach to abstraction. Then we have Ken Rausch who works on metal sheets, creating depth and interest with etching, mark-making, paint and resin.
"I still get goosebumps when I remember how I stepped back and looked at that very first abstract piece and had an epiphany."
- Kate Taylor
Art Sparks Conversation
When people say “I could have done that,” what they are really expressing is a challenge to the meaning or value of a piece. But the truth is, art is not just about who made it. It is about how it makes you feel, what it brings to your environment, and how it connects to your story.
Ed Sheeran’s paintings may not be critically acclaimed, but they have achieved something undeniable: they have reintroduced art into everyday conversation. They have prompted people to question, look, and engage. That alone is worth recognising.
Our collectors often find abstract art does more than enhance a room aesthetically; it can genuinely change how a space feels. In a previous project, our team selected a series of layered resin-based abstract works by artist Kerry Darlington to complement luxury pool areas in private residences. These luminous artworks, with their organic patterns and reflective high-gloss surfaces, added a serene focal point, subtly mirroring the gentle, fluid movement of water. Stories like this highlight how, through our interior services, Wyecliffe's curatorial expertise and long-standing experience can harmoniously connect art with any space.
Building a Meaningful Collection
At Wyecliffe Galleries, we encourage collectors to consider art not simply as decoration but as meaningful, living pieces of their personal narrative. Whether it is a spontaneous resin piece or a meticulously textured piece that transforms with light and viewing angle, such as those created by Mitchel Lawton. That connection might be profound, or it might be simple. Sometimes, the most meaningful choice is the one made without overthinking. Many collectors have told us that the artworks they return to again and again are the ones they bought on instinct. They simply liked them and that is more than enough.
The buzz around Sheeran’s artwork has made many people curious about buying art for the first time. For some, it is a window into abstract art’s playful energy. For others, it is the nudge to start a collection that feels personal and meaningful.
This is where our team comes in. We specialise in helping collectors understand what they are drawn to, whether that is the energetic gestures of mark-making abstraction or the luminous clarity of a polished resin sculpture by Craig Foord. We provide guidance not just on the artwork, but on framing, care, and how each piece can become a lasting part of your space and story.
Let yours begin with curiosity, grow with confidence, and be shaped by relationships that truly matter.
