7.7 Action painting

Action painting emerged in the 1940s and 50s as a dynamic form of abstract expressionism. It focused on the physical act of painting, emphasizing spontaneity and raw emotion over traditional composition.

Key figures like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning used techniques like dripping and gestural brushstrokes on large canvases. This movement challenged artistic norms and had a lasting impact on modern and contemporary art.

Origins of action painting

• Emerged in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s as a new form of abstract expressionism
• Developed as a reaction against the more controlled and cerebral approach of European modernism
• Influenced by the ideas of surrealism, particularly the concept of automatism and the emphasis on the subconscious

Key characteristics of action painting

Emphasis on physical act of painting

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• Focused on the dynamic and energetic process of creating art rather than the final product
• Painters used their entire bodies to engage with the canvas, often working on the floor or unstretched canvas
• Physical gestures and movements of the artist became an integral part of the artwork itself

Spontaneous and energetic techniques

• Relied on improvisation and spontaneity, with artists working quickly and intuitively
• Embraced accidents, drips, and splatters as part of the creative process
• Aimed to capture the raw energy and emotion of the moment in the finished painting

Large-scale canvases

• Action painters often worked on monumental canvases that engulfed the viewer
• Large scale allowed for greater physical engagement and expression
• Size of the paintings emphasized the importance of the artist's gestures and movements

Notable action painters

Jackson Pollock

• Considered the leading figure of action painting, known for his signature "drip" technique
• Created complex, layered compositions by dripping, pouring, and splattering paint onto canvas
• Iconic works include "Number 1, 1948" and "Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)"

Willem de Kooning

• Dutch-American painter who blended elements of abstraction and figuration in his work
• Known for his aggressive brushwork and vibrant colors, particularly in his "Women" series
• Paintings like "Woman I" and "Excavation" exemplify his action painting style

Franz Kline

• American painter recognized for his bold, black-and-white abstractions
• Used large brushes and housepainter's brushes to create powerful, gestural strokes
• Works such as "Chief" and "Mahoning" showcase his distinctive action painting approach

Techniques used in action painting

Dripping and splattering paint

• Artists poured, dripped, and flung paint onto the canvas from various heights and angles
• This technique allowed for greater spontaneity and chance effects in the finished work
• Pollock's "drip" paintings are the most famous examples of this method

Gestural brushstrokes

• Action painters used broad, sweeping brushstrokes to convey energy and movement
• Brushwork was often rapid and impulsive, reflecting the artist's physical and emotional state
• De Kooning's paintings feature prominent examples of gestural brushstrokes

Painting with unconventional tools

• Artists experimented with non-traditional tools like sticks, trowels, and even their own bodies
• Unconventional tools allowed for new textures, marks, and effects on the canvas
• Kline sometimes used large housepainter's brushes to create his bold, black strokes

Philosophical underpinnings of action painting

Influence of surrealism and automatism

• Action painters drew inspiration from surrealist ideas of tapping into the subconscious mind
• Automatism, a technique of creating without conscious control, was adapted by action painters
• This approach emphasized the importance of intuition and spontaneity in the creative process

Expression of inner emotions and psyche

• Action painting aimed to express the artist's innermost feelings, desires, and anxieties
• The physical act of painting served as a means of releasing and channeling these emotions
• Resulting works were seen as direct manifestations of the artist's psyche and inner world

Rejection of traditional composition and form

• Action painters broke away from conventional notions of composition, perspective, and representation
• Embraced the idea of "all-over" painting, where every part of the canvas held equal importance
• This rejection of traditional form allowed for greater freedom and experimentation in their work

Impact of action painting on art world

Shift towards abstraction in post-war era

• Action painting played a significant role in the rise of abstract expressionism after World War II
• Helped to establish abstraction as a dominant force in the American art scene
• Challenged the prevailing notion that art should represent external reality or convey a specific message

Influence on later movements like neo-expressionism

• The raw, emotive style of action painting had a lasting impact on subsequent art movements
• Neo-expressionism in the 1970s and 1980s drew heavily on the gestural and expressive qualities of action painting
• Artists like Julian Schnabel and Jean-Michel Basquiat incorporated elements of action painting in their work

Controversial reception and criticism

• Action painting initially faced criticism and skepticism from some quarters of the art world
• Some critics dismissed it as chaotic, self-indulgent, or lacking in skill and discipline
• Over time, however, action painting gained wider acceptance and recognition as a groundbreaking development in modern art

Legacy of action painting

Continued influence on contemporary art

• The spirit of experimentation and spontaneity embodied by action painting continues to inspire artists today
• Contemporary painters still employ techniques like dripping, splattering, and gestural brushwork in their work
• The emphasis on process and the physical act of painting remains a key aspect of many artistic practices

Reappraisal and recognition of key figures

• In the decades since the heyday of action painting, its leading practitioners have undergone critical reappraisal
• Pollock, de Kooning, and Kline are now widely recognized as major figures in 20th-century art history
• Retrospectives and scholarly studies have helped to cement their status and contributions to the development of modern art

Enduring fascination with action painting techniques

• The bold, energetic techniques pioneered by action painters continue to captivate artists and audiences alike
• Many contemporary artists have adapted and built upon these techniques in their own work
• The legacy of action painting as a means of self-expression and creative innovation endures in the art world today