Abstract Expression

Abstract expressionism is a style of art that emphasizes the process of creating rather than the final product. It emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, primarily in the United States and Europe, as a response to the strictures of representational art. Characterized by its non-representational forms and emphasis on spontaneity and intuition, abstract expressionism sought to capture the inner world of the artist rather than the external world.

The Rise of Non-Objective Art

With the rise of abstract expressionism, artists began to break free from traditional notions of representation and objectivity. Painters such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning created works that were no longer bound by realistic depictions of the world, instead focusing on the gestural marks and textures that resulted from their creative process.

The Influence of Surrealism

Surrealist artists had paved the way for abstract expressionism's emphasis on the subconscious and the world of dreams. Artists like André Breton and Max Ernst explored the realm of the irrational and the unknown, laying the groundwork for the intuitive and expressive qualities that would come to define abstract expressionism.

Pollock's Action Painting

Jackson Pollock's "action paintings" revolutionized the way artists interacted with their medium. By dripping, splashing, and pouring paint onto a canvas laid flat on the floor, Pollock created dynamic works of art that seemed to pulse with energy. His process-oriented approach to painting raised questions about the nature of creativity and the role of chance in artistic expression.

The Legacy of Abstract Expressionism

Abstract expressionism's influence can be seen in many areas of modern art, from the abstract geometries of minimalism to the expressive brushstrokes of contemporary figurative painting. Its emphasis on process over product has also influenced fields beyond art, such as music and dance.