Jackson Pollock

A revolutionary abstract expressionist painter who redefined modern art with his drip-painting technique.

Jackson Pollock (1912–1956) shattered artistic conventions by abandoning traditional brushwork in favor of pouring and splattering paint onto canvases laid on the floor. His "drip paintings," such as No. 5, 1948, became icons of Abstract Expressionism, emphasizing spontaneity and physical engagement with art.

Pollock’s technique, dubbed "action painting," transformed the art world by prioritizing process over form. Critics like Clement Greenberg hailed him as America’s greatest living artist, while his work influenced movements from Pop Art to performance art. Exhibitions at The Guggenheim and MoMA cement his status as a modernist pioneer.

Despite personal struggles, Pollock’s legacy endures. Films like Pollock (2000) explore his tumultuous life, while scholars analyze his impact on postwar American culture. The Pollock-Krasner Foundation supports emerging artists, perpetuating his belief in art’s transformative power.