1. Abstract Expressionism

2. Background Time period following WWII
Supposed to be a time of prosperity…baby boom of children following the conclusion of the war
Children raised in the cold war environment
Movement began and focused in New York…oft times referred to as the New York School

3. Influences
Surrealism: presence of Andre Breton (key founder of surrealism) in NY
Pulled upon surrealist manifesto ideas of subconscious dictating artist expression
Pulled upon Carl Jung’s philosophies of dream symbolism, ritual/ceremony and individuation (search for self and divine)
Exhibitions on Native American art and African art…artists possessed a naïve attitude toward what they deemed Primitive art…art that embodied their philosophies in one aspect

5. Painting techniques utilized