When discussing
Modern Art, especially American Abstract Expressionism, Jackson Pollock will, most likely, be at the forefront of discussion. Abstract Art evolved towards the end of the nineteenth century, and rose in popularity during the early twentieth century. Primarily, due to the dedication of Artists, such as Picasso and Kandinsky. Abstract Art would bring about such changes within Art, never equaled before. Abstract Art Oil Paintings would depict the world in a different light, by incorporating the Artists philosophical and emotional responses to it. Abstract Art did not seek to represent the world in a literal sense. Instead, it represented an Artist's emotional response to the color and forms, which make up that reality. Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian Artist, has been recorded in history as the first Artist to produce, what is predominantly described, as Abstract Art. His Oil Paintings, along with the work of other East European Artists, of the era, were also the first to be referred to as Abstract Expressionists.
Twentieth Century, American Abstract Expressionism, began in New York, around the mid forties. It was probably one of the most important American
Art Movement, with regards to the progression of Modernism. Abstract Expressionism involved many different styles. The main principle of the approach was that Artists were rendered free from rules, especially those that had governed Traditional Oil Painting. It was spontaneous, expressive, and a highly personalized Art form. Jackson Pollock was one of the most influential Artists of Abstract Expressionism. His Paintings are among the most distinguishable of styles, within the movement. It was large scale, free flowing and used intense, pure color. Many refer to his style as 'Action Painting', a term first coined in 1952, by Harold Rosenberg, in an article published by ARTnews.
Jackson Pollock (1912 - 1956) enjoyed huge success, and a considerable amount of notoriety, during his working life. Jackson Pollock was renowned for being volatile and battled with alcoholism, which, ultimately, resulted in his death (a car accident) at the age of forty four. Jackson Pollock was born in Wyoming, and in 1930 studied at the New York Arts Student League. In 1935, he began working for the WPA federal Art Project, and continued here until 1943. Modern Art Critics polarized the discussion of Jackson Pollock's Abstract Art technique. When Modern Art Critic, Rosenberg, wrote about 'Action Painting', describing it as 'not a picture, but an event' people assumed he was talking about the
Abstract Art of Jackson Pollock. Since then, there has been nothing to discredit this assumption.
Jackson Pollock removed all elements of Traditional Oil Painting and reduced 'reality' to the purest of forms, and that is, line and color, which are, respectively, light and space. Peggy Guggenheim was the major sponsor of Jackson Pollock. It was she who loaned Jackson Pollock the money to purchase his, now famous, studio and home in Springs, Long Island. This was around 1945, when he married Lee Krasner, another credited, and accomplished, Abstract Expressionist Painter. It was in these studios that Jackson Pollock would develop his 'paint Pouring', or, 'Action Painting' technique. Here, he would lay canvases on the floor and use household, alkyd enamels, in what Pollock referred to as his 'Drip Technique'. Jackson Pollock did not use traditional Artist palettes and soft hair brushes. Instead, Jackson Pollock preferred to use syringes, sticks, trowels, knives, and other, such like, non-traditional applicators.
Jackson Pollock defied every Traditional Oil Painting technique in history. His Canvas Art was not produced on an easel, with palettes, oil paint, brushes, nor was it 'premeditated', or realist. His Paintings were immediate, expressive, and ultimately Abstract. This is, by definition, Abstract Expressionism. Jackson Pollock's most recognized works were produced using his 'Dripping Technique', which was from around 1947 to 1950. In 1949 'Life Magazine' propelled him to superstar status with an article titled, 'Jackson Pollock - Is the greatest living Painter in the United States?'. Somewhat curiously, once Jackson Pollock had achieved notoriety with his 'Drip Painting Technique', he dropped it, abruptly. After 1951, Jackson Pollock began working in obscure colors, on raw Canvas. Then, he reintroduced color and figurative forms, although his work remained Abstract. His
Canvas Art became highly sought after by collectors. It is believed, the pressure of his new found fame contributed to his alcoholism. The rest, as they say, is history.
