Abstract

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 Abstract Expressionism
oPERIOD: Late 1940s, Early 1950s
oLOCALE: New York
oAIM: Express inner life through art
oTECHNIQUE: Free application of paint, no reference
to visual reality
oTHEORY: Image not result of preconceived idea, but of
create process
What is Abstract Expressionism?
As the name suggests, the artists associated with
Abstract Expressionism produced painting that are
abstract but expressed the artists state of mind. This
creative state of mind opens channels for
unconscious forces to make it visible.
Also called action painting, Abstract Expressionism
stressed energy and kineticism, in which what was to
go on the canvas is not a picture but an event--- a
happening. It is a frenetic painting that is much like
music in 4/4 time.
Characteristics of Abstract Expressionism
The Abstract Expressionists turned
inward to create, and the resulting
works convey a rough spontaneity
and great energy.
The viewer of works done by
Abstract Expressionists is advised
to grasp their meaning intuitively
 Artists of
Abstract
Expressionism
Jackson Pollock
o No one better exemplified this wildly
subconscious approach than Jackson Pollock.
Labeled Jack the Dripper, Pollock made a
revolutionary breakthrough by abandoning
the paintbrush altogetherpouring, flickering
and dripping commercial onto a large canvas
on the floor. The image of Pollock is of a man
possessed as he painted, in which such
Blue Poles no.1

Jackson Pollock
Willem de Kooning
o He is a Dutch-born painter and
decorator who went to New York
and became one of the most
consistent longest-lived Abstract
Expressionists. He developed a style
where he employed fierce, slashing
brushstrokes.
Willem de Kooning, Woman V,19521953. De Kooning's series ofWomanpaintings in the early
Willem de Kooning
1950s caused a stir in theNew York cityavant-gardecircle.
Franz Kline
o A leading Abstract
Expressionist, Franz Kline
painted in the manner that was
typical of his time: gestural,
personal, spontaneous, and full
emotions.
Cardinal, 1950 Oil on canvas
Private Collection
Franz Kline
Who are the representative
artists of Abstract
Expressionism in the
Philippines?
1. Jose Joya
A National Artist of the Philippines, Jose Joya
pioneered Abstract Expressionism in the Philippines.
He embraced the value of dynamic spontaneity and
quick gestures in painting that became significant
artistic influence among his followers. His painting
exhibited Abstract Expressionist features where
paint is applied spontaneously, in broad strokes,
using brushes or directly squeezed from the tubes,
and splashed across the canvas. Through influenced
by Abstract Expressionism, especially Klines style,
Joya developed his own unique style.
Granadian Arabesque 1958, Oil Detail on
canvas, Ateneo Art Gallery Collection

Jose Joya
2. Lee Aguinaldo
He was also a pioneer of
Modern Art in the Philippines.
His painting, Homage of
Pollock, from his flick series
was inspired by the Abstract
Expressionist Jackson Pollock.
Homage of Pollock Lee Aguinaldo