In 1956 Time magazine referred to Pollock as ‘Jack the Dripper’. His iconic paintings stretch out with the generosity and scale of the landscape of America’s West where the artist grew up. Pollock said that he painted ‘out of his consciousness’: the cathartic dribbled paint reflected his troubled mind.
This book traces Pollock’s career and discusses how his loose, individual style was used as a political weapon in the Cold War, representing America as the free, democratic nation. Illustrations simplify the theory and reveal the hidden meaning behind the mesh of painted lines.
Series writer Catherine Ingram brings her extensive knowledge to the book, while specially commissioned illustrations by New York-based illustrator Peter Arkle vividly portray the text.
Reviews all around the world
Books that are part graphic and written really reign in reader interest. This author does a very good job explaining Pollock's art, but also the political climate and personal challenges he faced. None of us are immune to the political climate of a nation. The clamp down on free expression during The Cold War impacted American culture and people personally. Pollock's response was his groundbreaking free expression pieces. His early years were not only emotionally but physically chaotic as his parents moved across the country repeatedly. Many look to the Beat Generation in admiration. I do this but I also feel sad the artists and writers of the era were so terribly confused and lost emotionally. -AW