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This piece is a depictions of rural small town America which was dominant during that time in the 1930s. The painting addresses westward expansion and Migration and touches on pioneer life, while also touching on the climate of the Great Depression.
Jackson Pollock, Going West, ca. 1934-1935, oil on fiberboard, 15 1/8 x 20 3/4 in. (38.3 x 52.7 cm.), Smithsonian American, Art Museum, Gift of Thomas Hart Benton, 1973.149.1 -
Part of his early social realist style meant to capture urban life in the Bronx and Harlem. This was during an intense time period of political and social change. This part of his politically charged work as this was in 1941 when America mobilized for WW2 and African Americans faced discrimination from getting hired.
Street Scene, 1941, Oil on canvas, 27” x 32” -
A movement that is known for its spontaneity, non-representational painting, emotional with expressive gestures. It focused on conveying a deep emotional experience and intensity along with the subconscious mind.
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This is an Action Painting style. This piece was created during the height of the cold war. Convergence is seen as a symbol of freedom speech in America. This painted received a high amount of unexpected fame. Jackson Pollock, Convergence, 1952, O/C,93.5” x 155”, Albright, Knox, Buffalo, NY -
Post-War American art and action painting and you see it in the brushwork. There is elements of abstraction vs. figuration, and it was controversial during this time period that challenged tradition. A technique of applying then scraping away to reapply is used.
Willem de Kooning, Woman I, 1950-1952 Oil and metallic paint o/c 6’ 4" x 4’10” MoMA, NYC -
Also challenged the traditional art by bringing popular culture into the art and parts of everyday life. This art movement contradicted and was against Abstract Expressionism seriousness. This ironic style embraced absurdity and playfulness.
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This challenged traditional sculptures and used soft sculptures made out of sewn cloth that is stuffed with softer materials. With a theme of a consumers everyday items and foods and the items where made on a large scale.
Claes Oldenburg Store, 1962, mixed media, Green Gallery