Abstract Expressionism Austin Aviles & Catie Durbin

Background The Abstract Expressionism movement took place in America in the late 1940’s and 50’s. It was the first major development in American art to achieve international status and influence, and it is often reckoned the most significant art movement anywhere since the Second World War. Since it made such a big boom not just in America but internationally, the art scene traveled from Paris to New York City. New York City had been crowned the contemporary art capital. The phrase ‘Abstract Expressionism’ had originally been used in 1919 to describe certain paintings by Kandisky, and it was used in the same way by Alfred H.Barr in Many European’s fled from Europe’s political fall out, this flee brought over many European modern artists.

Characteristics Heavily influenced by Salvador Dali’s Surrealism and Picasso’s Cubism. Images portray rebellious and anarchic feeling. Expression of ideas concerning the spiritual, the unconsciousness and the mind.

(cont.) Vivid coloration (color effects emotion) Dynamic and distorted forms Curving brushstrokes Blurred edges Fluid movements Emphasized emotion over object

Jackson Pollock ( ) American painter Between 1925 and 1929 he attended Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, involved first with sculpture and later with painting. In 1929 he moved to New York City to study with Thomas Hart Benton at the Art Students League. Pollock's first one-man show took place in 1943 at the Art of This Century Gallery in New York His paint-pouring technique was adapted by color-field painters Helen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis.

Characteristics of Jack Placed large canvases on floor, instead of traditionally easel. Rapid, impulsive brushstrokes or splashing paint directly onto canvas. Rhythmic energy of nature. Used numbers for the titles of artwork He cared more about expressing emotions than making the picture look real.

No. 30

No. 1

No. 5 ✪ Dark and dull colors ✪ Random lines and splatters give off an atmosphere of chaos ✪ Thick and thin lines with curved and sharp angles

Mark Rothko ( ) Russian – American painter He rejected the label of being an “abstract expressionist” His father feared that in Russia he would be drafted in the Czarist army but he stayed with his younger sister and his mother but eventually met up with his family. In 1923, he moved to New York City to be surrounded in an artistic atmosphere. In 1936, Rothko began writing a book, never completed, about similarities in the art of children and the work of modern painters. Committed suicide in 1970

Characteristics of Mark Used variation of color in fields and city scenes Playful urban scenes Considered a “field painter”

✪ Simple shapes ✪ Warm vs. cool colors ✪ lighter colors help the dark blue stand out to create a focal point

Clyfford Still ( ) American Painter Even though this art movement took place in mainly in NYC, Still made a huge impact in the movement on the west coast. In 1943, Still's first solo show took place at the San Francisco Museum of Art San Francisco Museum of Art He taught as a professor at VCU ( ) Rothko introduced him to Peggy Guggenheim, who gave him a solo exhibition at her Art of This Century gallery in early 1946

Characteristics of Clyfford jagged flashes of color give the impression that one layer of color has been "torn" off the painting subtle variety and shades that shimmer across the painting surfaces Darker shades in color

✪ Floral patterns ✪ Use of contrast ✪ Black pattern takes your eyes across the composition

Works Cited -Clyfford-Still---Abstract-Expressionism- Artist&id= http://ezinearticles.com/?Famous-Artists-Series-- -Clyfford-Still---Abstract-Expressionism- Artist&id= IAN CHILVERS. "Abstract Expressionism." A Dictionary of Twentieth- Century Art Encyclopedia.com. 27 Apr Abstract Expressionism.