Sophie Howarth, Introduction This study day focuses on debates around the interpretation of abstract art. From Russian Suprematism through Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism and beyond, abstraction has been variously interpreted as nihilistic, political, sublime, decorative and ironic. While much writing about abstract art has been opaque, the talks here aim to clearly open up a variety of theoretical models for discussion. As well as locating different forms of abstraction within a broad frame of art history and cultural theory, they cover the interpretation of abstract art within museums and the media.