🫥Abstract Expressionism Unit 4 – Pollock: Action Painting & Drip Technique

Who Was Jackson Pollock?

• American painter born in Cody, Wyoming in 1912
• Grew up in Arizona and California, moved to New York City in 1930
• Studied at the Art Students League under Thomas Hart Benton, who influenced his early figurative style
• Struggled with alcoholism throughout his life, which impacted his work and personal relationships
• Married artist Lee Krasner in 1945, who played a significant role in supporting and promoting his career
• Died in a car crash in 1956 at the age of 44, leaving behind a groundbreaking body of work that redefined abstract art
  • The crash occurred near his home in Springs, East Hampton, New York
  • Pollock was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident

The Rise of Abstract Expressionism

• Emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, primarily in New York City
• Characterized by spontaneous, gestural brushwork and the use of non-traditional materials
• Influenced by Surrealism, particularly the concept of automatism and the exploration of the subconscious
• Represented a shift away from representational art and traditional techniques
• Emphasized the process of creation as much as the final product
• Key figures included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and Franz Kline
  • Other notable artists were Robert Motherwell, Barnett Newman, and Clyfford Still
• Reflected the post-World War II zeitgeist of individualism, freedom, and experimentation

What is Action Painting?

• A term coined by critic Harold Rosenberg in 1952 to describe the work of Abstract Expressionists
• Emphasizes the physical act of painting as a dynamic, spontaneous process
• Views the canvas as an arena in which the artist's actions and gestures are recorded
• Prioritizes the artist's instinctive, subconscious impulses over premeditated composition
• Often involves large-scale canvases that allow for expansive, full-body movements
• Embraces the element of chance and the unpredictable effects of unconventional techniques
  • Such as dripping, splattering, and flinging paint onto the canvas
• Exemplified by the work of Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Franz Kline

Pollock's Drip Technique Explained

• Developed in the late 1940s as Pollock moved away from traditional brushwork
• Involved placing the canvas on the floor and working from all sides
• Used sticks, hardened brushes, and turkey basters to apply paint in a fluid, continuous manner
• Incorporated various materials such as house paint, enamel, and aluminum paint
• Created intricate, layered webs of color and texture that emphasized the flatness of the picture plane
• Allowed for a greater degree of spontaneity and improvisation in the creative process
  • Pollock often worked in a trance-like state, responding to the evolving composition
• Required a high level of physical engagement and control to manipulate the flow of paint
• Resulted in all-over compositions with no discernible central focus or hierarchy

Key Works and Their Impact

• "Mural" (1943): Commissioned by Peggy Guggenheim, marked a transition towards abstraction
• "Lucifer" (1947): One of Pollock's earliest drip paintings, showcasing his evolving technique
• "Number 1A, 1948" (1948): A seminal work that exemplified the drip technique and all-over composition
• "Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)" (1950): A large-scale masterpiece that captured the energy and complexity of Pollock's mature style
• "Convergence" (1952): Demonstrated Pollock's ability to create dynamic, balanced compositions through his signature technique
• "Blue Poles" (1952): A monumental work that fetched a record price of $2 million in 1973, solidifying Pollock's market value
  • The painting was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia, sparking controversy over its high cost
• These works challenged traditional notions of composition, form, and the role of the artist, influencing generations of artists to come

Materials and Methods

• Pollock used a variety of unconventional materials in his drip paintings
  • House paint, enamel, aluminum paint, and even industrial paints were common choices
  • He also incorporated sand, broken glass, and other debris to add texture and depth
• Worked primarily on large, unstretched canvases laid flat on the floor
• Developed a unique set of tools for applying paint, including sticks, hardened brushes, and turkey basters
• Used his entire body to manipulate the flow of paint, moving around the canvas and working from all sides
• Embraced the element of chance, allowing the paint to drip, splatter, and pool in unpredictable ways
• Built up complex, layered compositions through repeated applications of paint
• Occasionally used thinned paint to create translucent veils of color
• Experimented with different color palettes, from monochromatic black and white to vibrant, contrasting hues

Critical Reception and Controversy

• Initially met with mixed reviews, with some critics dismissing Pollock's work as chaotic and uncontrolled
• Championed by influential art critics such as Clement Greenberg and Harold Rosenberg
  • Greenberg saw Pollock's work as a culmination of the modernist tradition, emphasizing the flatness of the picture plane
  • Rosenberg's concept of "action painting" helped frame Pollock's work as a groundbreaking new direction in art
• Pollock's celebrity status and media attention brought both fame and scrutiny
  • Life magazine feature in 1949 asked, "Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?"
  • Some critics accused Pollock of being a charlatan or a mere showman
• Debates arose over the meaning and value of abstract art, with Pollock's work at the center of the controversy
• Pollock's personal struggles with alcoholism and mental health also attracted media attention and shaped public perceptions of his work

Pollock's Influence on Modern Art

• Helped establish Abstract Expressionism as a major force in post-war American art
• Challenged traditional notions of composition, form, and the role of the artist
• Inspired a generation of artists to explore new techniques and materials
  • Including color field painters like Helen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis
  • And post-painterly abstractionists like Frank Stella and Kenneth Noland
• Paved the way for the rise of process-oriented art movements such as Happenings and Performance Art
• Influenced the development of European art movements such as Art Informel and Tachisme
• Pollock's market success and media profile helped elevate the status of American art on the international stage
• His legacy continues to shape discussions about the nature of art, creativity, and the artist's role in society