Cultural changes were really important for abstract painting to grow. However, artists faced a lot of tough challenges during this time. As people moved away from traditional art styles, many artists felt unsure of where they fit in.

1. Letting Go of Old Techniques:

   • Moving toward abstract art meant artists had to stop focusing on realistic pictures. This made many artists feel lost and confused.
   • The clear rules about what made good art were gone. Many artists got criticized for not showing recognizable shapes anymore, making it hard for them to get their work accepted.

2. New Ways of Thinking:

   • Modern ideas and different philosophies pushed artists to dig into their own feelings and experiences. But this change also made things tricky.
   • Many people didn't want or couldn't understand art that didn’t have obvious subjects. This created a gap between what artists were trying to express and how the public reacted, making it tough for artists to get their points across.

3. Financial and Institutional Pushback:

   • In the early 1900s, art galleries and institutions often rejected abstract art. They preferred traditional artwork that sold better, which made it hard for many artists.
   • Many hopeful abstract painters struggled to find support and show their art. This made it difficult for them to grow and develop their unique styles.

Even with these challenges, artists found ways to overcome them by being persistent and creative.

• Joining Together: Artists started forming groups, like the Abstract Expressionists. These collectives created spaces for them to experiment and support each other. By sharing ideas and techniques, they became stronger against criticism.

• Teaching the Public: Projects aimed at teaching people about abstract art helped to build a bridge between artists and the audience. Workshops and discussions in galleries helped explain what abstract art was all about, making the art world more welcoming.

In the end, although cultural changes brought many difficulties for abstract painting, the determination and adaptability of artists helped them succeed. This paved the way for abstract art to be accepted and to grow.