Rita Schoonmaker — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/rita-schoonmaker

Rita Schoonmaker is an artist whose works invite contemplation, wonder, and exploration. Her artistic journey spans over five decades, yet her recent creations from 2022 to 2024 demonstrate a vibrancy and intellectual depth that make her one of the most intriguing figures in contemporary abstraction. Schoonmaker’s art is characterized by a masterful interplay of line, color, and texture, merging spontaneity with deliberate control. Through her innovative techniques and materials, she captures the essence of nature, emotion, and movement, crafting works that challenge and inspire her audience.

To fully appreciate Schoonmaker’s contribution to the art world, it is essential to consider her approach, philosophy, and her placement within the larger context of art history. Schoonmaker’s commitment to expressionism, her engagement with the environment, and her pursuit of unfiltered authenticity make her work a significant voice in contemporary abstraction. It would not be an exaggeration to position her in conversation with the likes of Wassily Kandinsky, whose early abstractions sought to evoke the spiritual resonance of form and color.

Schoonmaker’s creative journey began in the early 1970s, where her academic training in painting and printmaking laid the foundation for her intuitive and experimental process. What stands out in her biography is her courage to embrace flux and transformation. From her large, bold expressionistic works of the 1970s to her intricate constructions of the 1990s, and finally to the more intimate yet equally impactful works of the 2020s, Schoonmaker embodies the principle of continual evolution. Her willingness to incorporate unconventional materials, such as local rock rubbings or construction debris, into her early works speaks to her innovative approach to texture and form. This foundation informs her recent work, which, though often smaller in size, retains a monumental presence through its dynamic composition and psychological resonance.

Central to Schoonmaker’s artistic practice is her belief that art is a dialog. Her statement that "what the viewer 'sees' is as valuable as what I see" underscores her dedication to creating works that invite personal interpretation. This democratic approach transforms her audience from passive observers into active participants, drawing them into a shared creative experience.

Schoonmaker’s philosophy mirrors that of Hans Hofmann, whose color theory and ideas on spatial tension continue to inspire her. Like Hofmann, Schoonmaker seeks a balance between accident and control, allowing her works to oscillate between spontaneity and structure. Her intuitive layering of movement, color, and form offers a depth that rewards repeated viewing, as each encounter reveals new nuances.

Schoonmaker’s recent works, such as "Expanse #4," "Expanse #5," and "Desert Evening," are deeply rooted in her environment. Living in a desert valley, Schoonmaker captures the region’s vastness, its intense heat, and its ephemeral beauty. Her abstract forms evoke the sweeping movement of desert winds, the interplay of light and shadow, and the shifting colors of the landscape. These works are not literal depictions but abstract distillations of place and feeling, resonating with the energy of her surroundings.

Her engagement with nature is reminiscent of Georgia O’Keeffe, another artist who translated the essence of the American Southwest into powerful visual language. However, where O’Keeffe’s work is often representational, Schoonmaker pushes further into abstraction, allowing her compositions to exist as pure expressions of movement and emotion.

Schoonmaker’s mastery of color is evident in works like "Unity" and "Staccato," where bold, energetic brushstrokes and carefully chosen hues create a dynamic rhythm. Her understanding of color theory, influenced by Josef Albers, allows her to explore the emotional and spatial qualities of color. The interplay between warm and cool tones in her work generates tension and harmony, a reflection of the balance she seeks to convey.

In "Little Moons," the use of smaller, repeating forms suggests cycles and continuity, while "Talisman" captures a sense of spiritual resonance through its layered textures and organic forms. These pieces, like much of Schoonmaker’s oeuvre, strike a balance between the tangible and the intangible, the seen and the felt.

Rita Schoonmaker’s work is an important contribution to the contemporary art scene, not only for its aesthetic qualities but also for its philosophical depth. At a time when abstraction often risks becoming formulaic, Schoonmaker’s work feels fresh and deeply personal. Her commitment to exploration and her refusal to settle into a single style or theme ensure that her work remains dynamic and engaging.

Her emphasis on the process of creation, rather than a predetermined outcome, places her within the lineage of abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock and Helen Frankenthaler. Yet Schoonmaker’s work is distinct in its quiet introspection and its connection to nature. She achieves a level of intimacy and meditative calm that is rarely seen in contemporary abstraction.

In considering Rita’s recent works, it becomes clear that her art is not just a visual experience but an intellectual and emotional journey. Her ability to balance spontaneity with control, her engagement with color and texture, and her philosophical approach to interpretation position her as a master of abstraction. Schoonmaker’s work reminds us of the power of art to evoke, to challenge, and to inspire.

As the art world continues to evolve, artists like Rita Schoonmaker offer a necessary reminder of the value of personal vision and the importance of remaining curious. Her work is a testament to the enduring power of abstraction and its ability to speak to the universal human experience. In Schoonmaker, we see an artist who is not only a creator but also a thinker, whose work invites us to look deeper and to see more.

In comparing her to the great masters of the past, Schoonmaker stands as a bridge between the gestural freedom of the abstract expressionists and the quiet precision of contemporary minimalism. Her art is a vital part of the conversation, a dialog that continues to evolve with each new piece.

Rita Schoonmaker is not merely an artist of her time; she is an artist for all time. Her work, rooted in the specificity of her environment and experience, transcends the boundaries of place and period, offering a vision that is as universal as it is unique. As we look at her work today, we see not only the culmination of decades of exploration but also the promise of continued innovation and discovery.

Rita Schoonmaker is an artist who defies categorization. Her work is a reflection of a lifetime of curiosity, experimentation, and an unyielding commitment to her creative vision. She stands as a beacon of what contemporary art can achieve when it is rooted in authenticity and guided by a fearless spirit of exploration. Her art is both a celebration of individuality and a call for connection, a rare combination that makes her work profoundly relevant in today’s fragmented world.

As we look to the future, it is artists like Schoonmaker who remind us of the enduring power of abstraction to capture the complexities of life. She is not merely a participant in the contemporary art scene but a leader, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and reminding us of why art matters. In her works, we see the past and the present, the physical and the spiritual, the controlled and the chaotic—all converging into something greater than the sum of its parts.

In a world increasingly dominated by noise and distraction, Rita Schoonmaker’s art offers a moment of stillness and contemplation. Her works are meditative, providing a space for viewers to connect with their inner selves and the natural world. This is art that transcends aesthetic appeal; it is art with a purpose, art that seeks to heal, to inspire, and to awaken. Schoonmaker reminds us of the importance of being present, of seeing beyond the surface, and of finding beauty in the fleeting and the imperfect.

Her genius lies in her ability to translate complex emotions and sensations into a visual language that resonates universally. Her work is not tied to a specific time or place; rather, it speaks to the timeless human experience of searching for meaning, connection, and understanding. By inviting viewers to engage with her work on their own terms, Schoonmaker democratizes art, making it a shared, communal experience.

Rita Schoonmaker’s art is not just a visual experience; it is a journey, a meditation, and a celebration of life in all its forms. Her place in the pantheon of great abstract artists is assured, and her legacy will undoubtedly inspire generations to come. In a world that often feels overwhelming, her art stands as a testament to the power of creation, reminding us that even in chaos, there is beauty, and in beauty, there is truth.

By Marta Puig

Editor Contemporary Art Curator Magazine