Jackson Pollock
American
Born: January 28, 1912
Cody, Wyoming, United States
Died: August 11, 1956
Springs, New York, United States
An iconic figure who revolutionized modern art through his innovative and daring approach to painting, Jackson Pollock was an American artist born in 1912, in Cody, Wyoming.
He was the youngest of five brothers in a family marked by instability and frequent moves across the western United States.
His father, a surveyor, and his mother, an ambitious yet strict figure, had a profound effect on Pollock’s early life, which was often tumultuous. Artistic inspiration came from his older brother Charles, a painter, and early exposure to Native American art during travels with his father.
Pollock moved to New York City in 1930 to study at the Art Students League under the American painter Thomas Hart Benton. Benton’s emphasis on dynamic, flowing compositions influenced Pollock’s early work, though Pollock quickly moved beyond his teacher’s representational style.
The 1930s were a formative period for him, marked by employment with the WPA Federal Art Project and an increasing fascination with Mexican muralists like David Alfaro Siqueiros, whose experimental techniques informed Pollock's Approach to materials.
Pollock's struggles with alcoholism began early in his career, and he sought therapy which encouraged his exploration of mythological and symbolic themes in his art. By the 1940s, Pollock developed his signature style, culminating in the “drip technique” that defined his most celebrated works. This method, in which he poured, dripped, and flung paint onto canvases spread on the floor, allowed him to engage physically with his art, creating bold, energetic compositions that defied conventional painting methods.
The late 1940s and early 1950s marked Pollock’s peak. His “drip period” produced iconic works such as Autumn Rhythm and Convergence.
With support from his wife, artist Lee Krasner, and patron Peggy Guggenheim, Pollock rose to prominence, earning acclaim as a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism. Despite his success, Pollock faced growing criticism and struggled with self-doubt, leading to a return to darker, more somber works in the 1950s.
Pollock’s personal life was fraught with difficulties. His relationship with Krasner became strained under the weight of his alcoholism and infidelity, and his creative output diminished. On August 11, 1956, Pollock died in a car accident near his home in Springs, New York, bringing a tragic end to his turbulent life at just 44 years old.
Though his career was brief, Pollock’s influence on modern art has been profound. His wife Lee Krasner played a crucial role in preserving his legacy, managing his estate, and establishing the Pollock-Krasner Foundation to support emerging artists. Today, Pollock’s groundbreaking works are celebrated worldwide, solidifying his status as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Watch about Pollock in this episode of Art Unscripted by Eva!
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