Still an artform known by too few, the beginnings of fluid art reside in 12th century Japan in a technique of marbling called Suminagashi, or “floating ink.” Dropping ink onto water creates swirling shapes which are then captured on paper.

Modern techniques are often attributed to a Mexican artist, David Alfaro Siqueiros, who in the 1930’s mistakenly spilled paints onto each other creating abstract forms. The 1940’s and 1950’s saw drip and splatter techniques influenced by Siqueiros’ experiments, in the Abstract Expressionism of the time. Pop Art in the 60’s continued this trend as part of the psychedelic era.

With the advent and expansion of social media, fluid art has become more widespread with many artists experimenting and expanding on the techniques of the past. Today there are some 20 different techniques by which abstract art is created through manipulation of acrylic paint rather than by using brushes. “Pouring,” the fluid art technique most widely known, is just one of these techniques.

Increasing in popularity, particularly due to its accessibility and almost limitless possibilities, fluid art offers a welcoming entry point to abstract art for burgeoning artists as well as collectors. When embellished with texture, brushwork, or stenciling, fluid art can also become a bridge between representational art and the purely abstract. In this way, fluid art offers something for everyone to enjoy and experience.