You ever heard of Jackson Pollock? Of course you have. Let’s talk about why. Born in Wyoming in 1912, he was famous for his abstract expressionist paintings that were full of crazy, colorful splatters and drips. Pollock’s life had some darker spots too though - he struggled with alcoholism, had a tumultuous relationship with his wife Lee Krasner, and tragically died in a car accident at the age of 44. But despite all that, he left behind an incredible legacy as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Pollock's most famous works are his drip paintings, which he started making in the late ‘40s. He said, “fuck that,” to traditional paintbrushes, and started to drip and pour paint onto large canvases laid out on the floor of his studio. The result was a chaotic, abstract masterpiece that seemed to capture the energy and movement as an extension of himself. His style was all about letting go of control and allowing the paint to flow freely. He is attributed with saying, "I am nature." Holy shit dude, calm down.
I think what I like the most about his work is how controversial it was in its time, with some critics dismissing it as meaningless splatters and others hailing it as revolutionary. The fact that today, his paintings are some of the most sought-after and valuable in the world, is not just ironic, but a big ol’ fuck you reminder that public critics are mostly absolute fucking ding dongs. One of his pieces, "Number 17A," sold for a whopping $200 million in 2016. Can you even imagine that? Two hundred million freaking dollars for a bunch of drips and splatters on a canvas? That's the power of not just Pollock, but perceived value. More to the point, that is the power of art.
One thing that's often overlooked about Pollock is that he was actually a trained artist. He studied at the Art Students League in New York City and was influenced by both the European Modernist movement and Native American art. His early works were more figurative and representational, but he eventually found his true voice in the abstract style that he's now known for. Goes to show, learning the rules first and then breaking them goes a long way (see: podcast with Bezmiar).
You can actually find Pollocks in many museums around the world, from NYC to Sydney; it’s fucking wild seeing one in person. But I gotta warn you, seeing his paintings in person is a totally different experience than just looking at pictures online. There's something about the texture and the colors and the sheer size of the canvases that makes you lose sense of time/space a bit. If you’re tuned into that sort of thing, you can feel his energy and flow in the chaos of his work.
Jackson Pollock was more than just an artist - he was a force of nature (see his earlier quote!). His paintings were a reflection of his own inner turmoil and his relentless pursuit of creative expression. And even though he died stupidly young, he left behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate people all over the world. So next time you're feeling stuck or uninspired, just remember - sometimes you gotta let go of control and let the paint fly. That's the Pollock way.
Tune in this Wednesday for my podcast episode with guest, @railaite.rob AKA Roberta.
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