Abstract Expressionism For Beginners

by Richard Klin, Steven Zucker (Foreword), Lily Prince (Illustrator)

Abstract Expressionism was the defining movement in American art during the years following World War II, making New York City the center of the international art scene. But what the heck did it mean! The drips, the spills, the splashes, the blotches of color, the wild spontaneous energy--signifying what? Abstract Expressionism For Beginners will not only help you understand, but also appreciate the art of some of the most iconic figures in modern art--Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, Helen Frankenthaler, and others. Explore their lives and artistic roots, the heady world of Greenwich Village in the 1940s and 1950s, the influence of jazz, the voices of critics, and the enduring legacy of a uniquely inspired group of artists.

Genres: Art, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction

178 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2016

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm....I always look for art books so Google suggested this book to me and I found it as an "ebook" on Hoopla. I couldn't quite place what was a little odd about the formatting of the book to me, but when I completed it the back cover said "A FOR BEGINNERS DOCUMENTARY COMIC BOOK" and that pretty much sums it up. I am guessing for copyright reasons, the original art works from the AbEx painters could not be included so if you are not familiar with the work (which you may not be due to this book being for beginners), it involves a lot of googling. Which is fine. I found some new inspiration, and some paintings just weren't for me. Abstract Expressionism was the first modern painting movement of America...I thought that was pretty cool. The caricatures in the book were pretty fun. There were some journal entries or quotes from the painters and jazz musicians of the time that I found difficult to read in ebook format. The text box quotes that reiterated the text you just read or were about to read were annoying. I think this is a great way to get your feet wet and immerse yourself in the abstract expressionist time period. It may be a good jumping off point to see which painters you want to explore in further depth.

[Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, informative book that's easy to follow. Suitable for a wide age range. I won this through a Goodreads giveaway and it will make a great addition to the school library.

[Wendelle]

a concise well-written book that illuminates the abstract expressionism movement, despite their lack of a crisp explicit manifesto, through explanation of their origins and shared characteristics. Jackson Pollock and his ilk forcefully projected their emotions, moods and internal landscape through abstract drips and strokes onto a conscientiously acknowledged, prominent canvas in reaction to a radically dynamic era, which saw atomic technology, the after-effects of the Great Depression, the Holocaust and the anxiety of nuclear war all at once.

[Donald Schopflocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short introduction to Abstract Expressionism consisting of short character studies of the major artists and short general essays placing it in its various contexts including NYC, America, the Beat Generation, jazz, poetry, and art history and criticism. The Internet is an essential addition to allow you to see the works.

[Scott Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a technical guy, but a visual one as well, and have spent the last 25 years of my life in the field of scientific imaging. What I like about that is the fact that I can look at an image and know, with absolute certainty, what I am looking at.
Art, and abstract art in particular, isn't like that for me. I don't always know what I'm looking at, and I doubt I will be able to any better after this book.
BUT...
What I will be able to do is better understand the context that the Abstract Expressionist paintings were created in, and I will also be able to better grasp how they make me feel when looking at them. Knowing, for example, the history of the government funded art projects, or the importance of opening a new focal point in NYC for the first time in art history is an important contextual reference, and with this, I hope to be able to immerse myself in their paintings. Not to categorize or define what I'm looking at, because I won't be able to in many cases. But to feel the painting, and to understand why the artist wanted me to feel that way.
So...if you're like me, and don't always get it when you see abstract art, or if you're not like me and you love it, but don't know the full history and context...this book will be of immense value. Written in a light, conversational tone, I enjoyed it from cover to cover. Well done!!