Curatorial platform dedicated to minimalist art & design.

An abstract, reduced, minimalist painting, created with Midjourney. Even if I don't like it, why should it bother me?

Minimalist Art and Its Critics: Emotional Responses to “Emotionless” Art

Art is controversial, and art with a minimalist aesthetic is particularly so. Of course, what you like is subjective – I’ve written about that often enough. But abstract, minimalist art holds a special place here. It challenges our perception and constantly questions our traditional definition of art. One of the...

Art Editorials

Minimalist Art and Its Critics: Emotional Responses to “Emotionless” Art

Minimalist Art

Discover a curated selection from the world of minimalist art.

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Frank Gerritz in his studio. Photography by Sarah Dorweiler / Aesence

Art Interviews

Where Thought Meets Form – Visiting Frank Gerritz in His Studio

It was one of the first hot days of the summer, 34° C (approx. 93°...

Stephen Whatcott, Tomorrow Morning, 2023, acrylic on canvas 40 x 30cm © The Artist

Art

Stephen Whatcott – Bold and Minimalist Compositions

Stephen Whatcott (b. 1983) is a self-taught artist from the Cotswolds, England. In his abstract,...

Art Design

Blending Art & Design – Post by Studiokhachatryan

Post, designed by Studiokhachatryan, is a minimalist archetype consisting of two elements molded from white...

Storing Seeds 2206, 2022, oil on linen, 35 x 30 cm

Art

Cindy Leong – Art As A Visual Meditation

Cindy Leong is an emerging artist from Aotearoa New Zealand whose artistic practice is informed...

Current Exhibitions

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09 January → 21 February 2026	Tina Shaw – On the Brink	ARDEN + WHITE Gallery	More Info
22 January → 07 March 2026	André Marfaing – Ink Wash Paintings, 1960s – 1980s	Ceysson & Bénétière Tokyo	More Info
11 January → 07 March 2026	David Quinn – Samhain	Rossicontemporary	More Info

Newsletter

Stay up-to-date with 'Editor's Picks' - the monthly newsletter with personal recommendations on current exhibitions, interviews, articles, and more.

Interviews

Get an insight into the visions and philosophies of these artists and designers.

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Jean Philippe Lagouarde in his studio © Photography by Nolwenn Pernin

Interviews

Between Precision and Serendipity – A Conversation With Artist Jean Philippe Lagouarde

Interviews

Resonance Beyond the Surface – A Conversation With Artist Søren Sejr

Gwen Hardie with a close-up of "Arc of the sun - Venetian red", 16 x 16 in, for UNTITLED, Miami Beach, Dec 3-7, 2025 with Arden and White © The Artist

Interviews

The Alchemy of Light – A Conversation With Artist Gwen Hardie

Interviews

On Form, Matter and Emptiness – A Conversation With Artist Eleanor Bartlett

Minimalist Art & Design News

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Minimalist Aesthetics around the world

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Minimalist Art & Design News

Is Abstraction the Essence of Art?

The pursuit of abstraction is as old as humanity itself. From prehistoric cave drawings to ancient Greek sculptures of the Cyclades, abstraction is a timeless expression of our human need to break...

White abstract Painting created with Midjourney by Aesence

Beyond the Visible: How White Paintings Challenge Our Perception of Art

There are hardly any works of art that are more controversial than completely white paintings. “What does that mean?” or “Surely my child could have done that, too” are familiar comments on...

What Makes Minimalist Design? The Big Picture Or The Detail?

Many people believe that minimalist design, with its reduction to the essentials and lack of details, loses a part of its identity. But does minimalist design really lack details? And if so,...

Minimalist sculpture | Sergio de Camargo via Aesence Directory for minimalist aesthetics

What Makes Minimalist Sculptures Aesthetic?

I have always been fascinated by minimalist sculptures. Because, unlike a painting or photograph, a sculpture can be viewed from all angles. The way light, shadow, and perspective play with it can...

Does Minimalist Art Always Look the Same?

I recently had a thought-provoking conversation about minimalist art. My counterpart, a collector of figurative...

Beyond the Surface: The Complexity of Minimalist Art

Until the beginning of the 20th century, art served primarily as a mere representation of...

Abstract Minimalist Painting, created with Midjourney

Is It Possible to Feel an Emotional Connection to AI-Generated Art?

Lately, artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly expanded its influence on the art world. Not only...

Black Minimalist Chair, Image created with Midjourney

Does Minimalist Design Mean a Loss of Identity?

“Less is more” – this phrase coined by Mies van der Rohe has long established...

About Aesence

Founded in 2015 out of a deep fascination and appreciation, Aesence has developed into one of the leading online platforms dedicated to minimalist art & design.

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