1. Abstract Expressionism
By: Christy Balewski
&
Sam Bush

2. What it is…
Abstract Expressionism is a painting movement in which artists typically applied paint rapidly, and with force to their huge canvases in an effort to show feelings and emotions.
non-geometrically, sometimes applying paint with large brushes, and looks as if to be an accident but is really quite planned.

3. History… European artists began moving to America during WW II.
The main result of the new American fascination with Surrealism was the emergence of Abstract Expressionism.
Produced in New York roughly between
Jackson Pollack
Ocean Greyness
1953

4. Made New York the center of the art world, and was often called the “New York School”.
Artists wanted to establish their
independence from European surrealists
and other art trends.
Abstract Expressionism was the first
art movement to influence artists
over seas, rather than vice versa.

5. Emphasized the depiction of emotion’s rather then objects.
Arshile Gorky was the artist to put this movement into motion, because his art ideals were obtained from Surrealism, Picasso, and Miro.
Emphasized the depiction of emotion’s rather then objects.
Paintings consisted of shapes, lines, and forms meant to create a separate reality from the visual world.

6. “What was to go on the canvas was not a picture, but an event.”
Hans Hoffman
Rising Moon
“What was to go on the canvas was not
a picture, but an event.”
Critic- Harold Rosenberg

7. European Influence
European Surrealists obtained their notion of the unconscious mind, from Sigmund Freud.
Many Americans at this time, derived Carl Jung’s theory- the “collective unconscious” holds that beneath ones private memories, is a store house of feeling and symbolic thoughts.
With all the European influence, Abstract Expressionists sought universal themes within themselves.

8. Action/Gestural Painting
One of the two techniques for Abstract Expressionism was known as Action Painting.
A style of painting which paint is spontaneously dripped, splashed or smeared onto the canvas, rather then being carefully applied.
Willem de Kooning- Paris Review
1979

9. Jackson Pollock ( )
Influenced by Mexican muralist painters, and Surrealism.
Canvases were usually on the floor, or the wall where he dripped or poured on the paint.
Used knives, sticks, or towels instead of brushes.
Occasionally putting sand, broken glass, or other matter, into his paintings.
Resulted in direct expression and “Action Painting”.

10. Jackson Pollock
Shimmering Substance
1946

11. Jackson Pollock
Enchanted Forest
1947

12. Jackson Pollock
Lavender Mist
1950

13. “I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image… because the painting has a life of its own.”
Jackson Pollock

14. Arshile Gorky (1904-1948) 3 Factors in work of the 1940’s
Intense childhood memories of Armenia, prime subject matter.
Growing interest in Surrealism.
Many discussion with colleagues about Jungian ideas.

15. Waterfall- Arshile Gorky (1943)
The unstructured shapes, and drips of paint hint at the fluidity of the Waterfall.
Waterfall- Arshile Gorky (1943)

16. Arshile Gorky - One Year the Milkweed
1944

17. Willem de Kooning A pioneer in Abstract Expressionism.
Tried to capture energy and emotion through Action Painting.
Alternated between abstract and figural painting.
Blended traditional forms, with a sense of uncertainty.

18. Willem de Kooning
Woman I

19. Willem de Kooning
Pink Angels
1945

20. Willem de Kooning
Black Friday
1948

21. Willem de Kooning
Women III
1952

22. Willem de Kooning
Excavation
1950

23. Franz Kline ( )
His works around 1946 had a Cubist structure, or were abstract.
Around 1950, he made large calligraphic paintings in black and white.
In 1958, Kline introduced color in some of his works.

24. Franz Kline
Figure Eight
1952

25. Franz Kline
New York, N.Y.
1952

26. Franz Kline
Untitled
1958

27. Color Field/Chromatic Painting
The Second Type of Abstract Expressionism paintings.
Paintings with solid area of color covering the whole canvas.
Meant to be seen up close, so the viewer is immersed in color.

28. Mark Rothko ( )
Asymmetrical blocks of color, and painted the edges of his canvases, then displayed them without frames.
Titles were unimaginative leaving the interpretation up to the viewer.

29. Red, Orange, Tan and Purple
Mark Rothko
Red, Orange, Tan and Purple
1949

30. Mark Rothko
Orange and Red on Red
1957

31. Kenneth Noland ( )
First to stain canvases with thinned paints.
Appeared as pure and saturated color.
Made concentric rings, and parallels, in relation to the size of the canvas.

32. Kenneth Noland
Heat
1958

33. Kenneth Noland
Back and Front
1960

34. Sculptures
David Smith is one of the most famous Abstract Expressionism sculptor’s
He created large, steel geometric sculptors
His motivations were similar to that of the painters
His most famous sculptors are his Cubi series

35. David Smith
Cubi XIX
1964

36. What it Influenced Created a whole new way to look at art
Influenced later art movements
Pop Art
Minimalism
Tachisme