Personal life

Name of Artist: Jackson Pollock

Birth Date: January 28, 1912

Birth Place: Cody, WY

What later life events (marriage, children, deaths, etc.) had a major influence on the artist? Pollock
Grew up in Arizona and California. He moved to New York with his brother in 1930 and studied under
Thomas Heart Benton at the Art Students League. From 1938-1942 he went through Jungian
therapy to help him with his alcoholism. In 1945 he married Lee Krasner, who was also an artist that
worked with him at WPA Federal Art Project and painted abstract paintings. Shortly after getting
married they moved to a farm house in Long Island, New York. In the early 1940s he observed
Indian sand painting which changed his way of painting leading him to his drip painting era from
1947-1950 and began to gain fame.

Time Period

Describe what prevailing style of art was popular when the artist first started? Art Deco, the use of
precise and bold geometric shapes was prevalent from 1920-1930. Cubism, the emphasis on formal
structure was also prevalent from 1907-1920. Cubism help Pollock understand picture space.

What new style did the artist start, or get involved in? Pollocks style was part of the Modern Art
style. His painting technique became known as action painting because of his constant circling of
the canvas while he poured paint.

What important historical events happened during the artists lifetime that influenced one or more
pieces? Jackson Pollocks art was influenced by the World War 2 and the Great Depression.
Although it is unknow why abstract expressionism became so widely accepted during the Great
Depression it was no doubt an excellent time for Jackson Pollock. Some argue that Pollocks use of
household paint and unframed canvas materials was because it was easier for him to afford during
the Great Depression and World War 2. During World War 2 he began painting much darker
paintings using more black paint.

Select one piece that your artist did

Name of the piece: The Deep

What is it about? There are many interpolations of the meaning of this painting. Some say that it is
a vicious cut or a dying man, but when I look at it I see a hole or void of space. When I look at it
trying to see a new meaning, I see the light or white fill the hole or black.

Why did you choose this piece? While I was scanning through Jackson Pollocks paintings I was
drawn to this painting. I love how he uses such a minimal amount of color, yet it is still a very
powerful piece. Once I found the name of this painting it helped me realize what Pollock was trying
to portray in this piece.

Name two elements of design that the artist used in this piece: I feel the most important element
that Pollock used in his painting The Deep was the use of space, by using the negative space he is
achieving a sense of depth. He also used value by contrasting the light against the black in the
center.

Name one principle of design that the artist used in this piece: Pollock used the principle of
emphasis in this painting which draws your eye to the center of the piece.

When you first looked at this piece what was your reaction to it? At first glance I was very drawn to
this painting. I was surprised that this was painted by Pollock because I feel it has such a different
look than most of his other painting. I love how by keeping the painting simple it caused stand out.

Did your reaction change as you studied this piece? Yes, my reaction changed once I saw the
name of the peace. It opened my eyes to what Pollock was depicting when painting it.

Sources

List two sources you used to gather your information

1. "Jackson Pollock Timeline." Soft Schools., 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2017.

<http://www.softschools.com/timelines/jackson_pollock_timeline/135/>.

2. Nitin. "The Deep by Jackson Pollock." ArtPaintingArtist. N.p., 15 Apr. 2014. Web. 07 Mar.
2017. <http://artpaintingartist.org/the-deep-by-jackson-pollock/>.