Jackson Pollock

Icons of America

by Evelyn Toynton

A compelling look at Jackson Pollock's vibrant, quintessentially American art and the turbulent life that gave rise to it

Jackson Pollock (1912–1956) not only put American art on the map with his famous "drip paintings," he also served as an inspiration for the character of Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire—the role that made Marlon Brando famous. Like Brando, Pollock became an icon of rebellion in 1950s America, and the brooding, defiant persona captured in photographs of the artist contributed to his celebrity almost as much as his notorious paintings did. In the years since his death in a drunken car crash, Pollock's hold on the public imagination has only increased. He has become an enduring symbol of the tormented artist—our American van Gogh.

In this highly engaging book, Evelyn Toynton examines Pollock's itinerant and poverty-stricken childhood in the West, his encounters with contemporary art in Depression-era New York, and his years in the run-down Long Island fishing village that, ironically, was transformed into a fashionable resort by his presence. Placing the artist in the context of his time, Toynton also illuminates the fierce controversies that swirled around his work and that continue to do so. Pollock's paintings captured the sense of freedom and infinite possibility unique to the American experience, and his life was both an American rags-to-riches story and a darker tale of the price paid for celebrity, American style.

Genres: Art, Biography, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2011

About the author

Evelyn Toynton's work has appeared in Harper's, The Atlantic, The Times Literary Supplement, The New York Times Book Review, and The American Scholar. Her novel Modern Art, loosely based on the story of Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock, was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Her most recent novel is The Oriental Wife, published in 2011. She lives in Norfolk, England.

Reviews

[Elijah Duran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically don’t read biographies, and have a tough time with non-fiction in general, but this caught my eye in the library. This was an interesting read that painted a picture of Pollack as he was, and the social and political pressures that created the Abstract Expressionism movement in the 40’s and 50’s.

While Pollack is seen as a contemporary American art rockstar in today’s day and age due to his iconic figure, media produced about him and his style, and huge posthumous sales, the biography paints a different picture of struggling and troubled artist. I also had no idea he died in such a sad and horrific way.

Overall this was a good read and well written. I might even dip my toes deeper into the non-fiction realm in the future!

[Kamakana · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you like this review i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com

230731: short bio/art criticism of the midcentury american painter. saw film from 2000 called 'Pollock' on Netflix, this inspired me to find some books on his work, him, his persona, american art etc... two large format with good reproductions Jackson Pollock: Phaidon Focus and Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner

this reminded me it seems it has been at least decade since looked at his work (less in fact: Jackson Pollock’s Mural: The Transitional Moment) decades more (when still able to draw, paint, handwrite etc) since seriously studied him. this is four only because it lacks even the gesture to his great paintings, the only reproductions are small, b&w, and perhaps prejudice that in the end it is the work that matters, not the bio, not the critics, but this may be mistaken identity with romantic idealisation of the heroic artist. the final chapters are arguments about this aspect of Multiplatform media of 'pollock' and yet, maybe the people asked are the wrong ones, are not artists, but none had heard of him. rip Jackson Pollock...

[Troy Stirman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not having studied or read anything about this artist, I was most curious about the man and his life. But the book is more of an homage about his character and style rather than his actual life and art. In fact, there are only 5 pictures of his art included in these 122 pages. That is unfortunate.

It's a decent primer that urges the reader to grab another volume by an author who adequately lent considerable more time and effort into the subject matter.

Quick read. Interesting third-party quotes.

[Chris Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a brief overview this is fine but it's certainly not the most comprehensive Pollock biography I've read.

[Jeremiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish there were more pictures of his art to go along with the story. The art is so important to the history of Pollock himself. The author brings in alot of the cultural and political issues of the day, which are very relevant. In the end, though, Pollack, seemed self-absorbed with his fame. Too much of a change.

[John Porcellino · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, easy overview of Pollock' life and career. New to me were details of the way his reputation with critics and academics has evolved in the years since his death. A good introduction to his life and era.

[Robert Walrod · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reads at times like an undergraduate essay whose primary source was the Wikipedia article about Pollock.

[Vincent Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, little refresher course on this monster of post-war American art.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise overview of the man and his art. The writing is cold and academic.

[Angel Du · Rating 3 out of 5]

short, concise and riveting this was good biography