Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock was the king of drip painting, a revolutionary style within Abstract Expressionism. Imagine him as a conductor, not of an orchestra, but of paint! He'd fling, splatter, and dribble pigment onto canvases laid on the floor, creating dynamic webs of color.

Key characteristics:

• Action painting: The process of creating the artwork was as important as the finished piece.
• All-over composition: No single focal point; the entire canvas is equally energized.
• Abstract: Non-representational; devoid of recognizable objects or scenes.
• Spontaneity: Emphasized improvisation and the subconscious mind.

Themes:

Pollock's work explores themes of unconscious expression, chaos, and the primal forces of nature. He aimed to access a deeper level of feeling, bypassing traditional artistic constraints.

Mnemonic: Think of "Pollock" as "Paint-lock" - he unlocked the potential of paint to move freely and create dynamic layers.