Essay on Jackson Pollock

Words: 2270
Pages: 10

The dominant figure that steered the course of the Abstract Expressionist movement was the infamous painter Jackson Pollock. He was born Paul Jackson Pollock in Cody, Wyoming on January 28, 1912. He was the fifth and youngest son and grew up in Arizona and California after his family left him when he was a little over one year old. Pollock's artistic journey began at the Manual Arts School in Los Angeles, California where he joined two of his brothers. From there, he went on to New York to attend the Art Students' League after being convinced by one of his brothers whom also attended the school. Before moving into his own innovative style, Pollock would have to learn the formal rules of art, as every accomplished artist does.
It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well." This is what it meant when it is stated that his creations reflect his inner ideas and compulsions. This truly is the definition of real art. Painting these abstract interlacing webs turned into a sort of private ritual for Pollock. He said that these drip paintings presented him with "meaningful surprises". One of his greatest and most well-known drip paintings is titled "Autumn Rhythm". This work was done through the years of 1948 to 1950, one of the few periods that Pollock succeeded in not drinking. When Pollock wasn't plagued by his problem with alcoholism, he created his greatest drip paintings. As stated above, this artwork served a therapeutic purpose. He included all of his inner feelings of anger and fear, which were possibly the product of the little interaction that had occurred with his barely known father. Julia Kristeva, a French psychologist and novelist, said that by taking control over one's painting, one might aim to be taking control over one's own dreams. These paintings actually evolved through Pollock's slow internal development. "Autumn Rhythm" was shown at the Betty Parsons exhibition from November through December of 1950. It is said that Pollock was an artist of sizes. "He had an idea of painting, retrieving, and dramatizing its own dimensions, and