Jackson Pollock Painting, Essay Example

Jackson Pollock produced painting that was considered to be a form of abstract expressionism.  His method of painting was unique; he would put a large canvas on the floor and work while standing up, rather than using the typical easel which most artists utilized.  He would sometimes splash paint directly onto the canvas, painted with strong, rapid, unexpected brushstrokes and sometimes used paint cans with holes in the bottom, sticks, and knives to spread the paint.

Abstract expressionism is a method in which the artist expresses himself through the use of form and color, rather than presenting tangible objects. (Encyclopedia Brittanica). His method of painting was called “action painting”, which abandoned all the typical ideas of having a central theme.  He would run around the canvas, almost in a frenzy, dripping and splashing paint with total control.  He did not paint an image, only action.  His paintings are lively with colored and spattered lines moving in all directions, made up of all widths and tones. Viewing his paintings, one does not concentrate on any one particular part of the scene but rather, looks all over the canvas in an active attempt to take it all in.

Pollock’s painting Convergence is the ultimate example of abstract expressionism, and he is considered to be one of the leading artists representing this period.  The painting is huge and lacks any identifiable structures, but is full of life and allows one to find their own emotional pulse when viewing it.  The style in the picture was influenced by a surrealist idea of “automatism”, which represented the direct, honest expression of the self.  The emotion of his work was expressed not by portraying people or objects, but instead by using colors, lines, shapes, texture, and various shadings and light to express feeling.

The painting’s brilliance lies in its initial appearance that it simply is a chaotic splatter of paint, but looking into the picture reveals an infinite amount of energy and activity.  The intensely splattered shapes, lines and shades of color are thrown upon each other, causing the emotional reaction of the viewer that is uniquely his/her own.  Unlike traditional art, rather than subjects represented in a realistic manner, abstract painting represents the subjects without recognizable form, but allows the viewer the freedom to envision that which is on the canvas using only one’s own interpretation rather than a concrete image. 

References

Lotha, Gloria, , Initials, & , Initials. (2008). Jackson Pollock. Encyclopedia britannica. Retrieved (2010, May 24) from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/468051/Jackson-Pollock

Smith, R. (2008, May 2). Rivalry Played Out on Canvas and Page. The New York Times, B4-5.