Galaxy
No. 5
Eyes in the Heat 1946
No. 8
Shimmering Substance 1946
Autumn Rhythm 1950
Today is the anniversary of the death at 44, of the abstract expressionist, Jackson Pollock. He died on this date, 55 years ago. I've always loved his work, so I thought I'd post some of his paintings as a kind of reminder of the artist that was lost. I am only grateful that at one time I was alive at the same time as Pollock was creating. To read about Pollock, his work, his place in history and the abstract expressionist movement, please go here.
No. 15
He was a difficult man, an almost life long alcoholic and his death, driving while intoxicated, took the life of a woman passenger - but the work Pollock left behind is thrilling. It's difficult to separate the man from the art. But in Pollock's case, I find myself doing just that. It wasn't always the nice guys who were doing the incredible work. That's the unfortunate truth.
Much of Pollock's behavior, especially towards his wife, the artist Lee Krasner, was - apparently - egocentrically dreadful, yet she managed his estate and saw to it that his work lived on even in a changing art world. They are buried near each other.
If you haven't seen it and are interested at all in how the artistic process works, I recommend the film, POLLOCK starring Ed Harris in a remarkable performance as Pollock and Marsha Gay Harden in an Academy Award winning performance as Lee Krasner.
Watch a brief documentary on Pollock featuring, among others, Pollock biographers and the actor Ed Harris. Link here.
The Key 1946
