Born in Cody, Wyoming in 1912Grew up in CaliforniaAttended the Manual Arts High School in Los AngelesSpent his adult life in New York, studying art and paintingDied in 1956 and is considered as one of the great artists of the 20th century

Note that this painting has recognizable subject matter.What is the subject matter of this painting?

The Key (1946) 59 x 84 inches

Stenographic Figure (1942) 40 x 56 inches

Jackson Pollock was very interested in the artwork of other modern artists like Picasso.Pollock was also influenced by the art of American Indians.

Pollock’s work became increasingly abstract, and he started developing his own style with a focus on colors, shapes, and symbols.What symbols or representational shapes do you see in these paintings?

Do you see any identifiable subject matter in this painting? What do you see?What title would you give this painting?How do you think Jackson Pollock created this painting?

Autumn Rhythm (1950) – 105 x 207 inches

Jackson Pollock walked around a large canvas on the floor. With rhythmical movements, he dripped, poured, and flung paint onto the canvas.He was inspired by the creative nature of jazz music.Pollock felt that he was part of the painting that he was creating and that the painting reflected his feelings and his energy.Color and line were more important than identifiable subject matter (Abstract Expressionism).

Jackson Pollock at work in his studio in New York

One: Number 31 (1950) – Museum of Modern Art

Number 8 (1949)

All of these paintings reflect the spontaneous nature of Pollock’s “action painting.” In what ways do these paintings look different from each other, and how does each painting make us feel differently?

Blue Poles, No. 11 (1952)

Number 18 (1950)