1. Abstract Expressionism

2. Processes and Materials of
Abstract Expressionist Painting
MoMA Abstract Expressionism

3. Jackson Pollock. One: Number 31, 1950. 1950
MoMA Abstract Expressionism
Question: Is this abstract or figurative art ?

4. Question
Why an artist paints abstractly instead of
representationally?
Because abstract painters explored new
ways of creating art. They made large,
abstract canvases and energetic and
gestural lines.
MoMA Abstract Expressionism

5. Take a close look at One: Number
31, by Jackson Pollock
• What words would
you use to describe
this painting?
• How would you
describe the lines in
the painting?
Jackson Pollock. One: Number 31. 1950
MoMA Abstract Expressionism

6. Pollock painted with
nontraditional materials

7. Commercial paints

8. Housepainter’s brushes

9. Paint cans

10. He squeezed paint from a tube

11. A brush

12. He painted with the canvas on the floor.
What kind of gestures or movements do you think
Pollock made to make this painting?

13. Jackson Pollock incorporated unusual elements
into this painting: Full Fathom Five

14. He embedded:
COINS
BUTTONS
CIGARETTES

15. Create your own abstract
expressionist collage!
• The collage has to feature a person

16. Create your own abstract
expressivits collage!

17. Create your own abstract
expressionist collage!
• Cut out images of magazines and newspapers.
• Think about your character, then come up
with a title.
• Present it to your classmates.

18. Some examples