There were two main styles of surrealist painting the natural and the abstract. In the natural style the picture would often convey the setting of a dream. In the abstract form, objects are less recognisable and the paintings are often suggestive of sex or death. Abstract is the term given to paintings which have no recognisable subject matter. The Abstract artist believes that the colour, texture and shape of a painting can influence emotions rather than a recognisable object.
Abstract art is left for the viewer to interpret in their own way.
Abstact Expressionism was a movement where the artists wished to convey their innermost feelings. Paintings of the movement are usually massive in scale and are very often executed in household paints. Op Art paintings exploited optical illusion. Paintings were often abstract and geometrical and designed to give the feeling of movement. Pop Art is associated with modern culture.