Abstract Expressionism
By: Kate Irwin
Abstract Expressionism was an artistic movement during the mid-20th century. It was primarily an art movement that focused on painting, rather than sculpture, photography, etc. The artists of Abstract Expressionism often felt uneasy with traditional subjects and styles.

Their paintings included themes of individuality and spontaneity. Abstract Expressionism is defined as the rejection of social realism and geometric abstraction. It is a combination of surrealism and abstract art.

An example of a surrealistic painting. The Persistance of Memory by Salvador Dali. From the Salvador Dali Art Gallery.

An example of an abstract painting. Tides by Andrew Glinski. From Andrew Glinski's studio page.

An example of an abstract expressionist painting. Elberta by Helen Frankenthaler. From Abstract Expressionism.

A main artist of the Abstract Expressionist movement was Jackson Pollock. Pollock developed a drip painting technique later called "action painting."

Lavender Mist by Jackson Pollock.

Another main artist of the movement was Willem De Kooning. His work was widely appreciated but he was often in the shadow of his contemporary, Pollock. Links to De Kooning's work.

Study for Woman by Willem De Kooning.

Both Pollock and De Kooning were part of the New York School, where the Abstract Expressionism movement was focused. This style of art was a combination of action painting (the paint texture and actions of the artist) and color field painting (unified color and shape).