Great Art Explained: Jackson Pollock

kottke.org June 30, 2025 By Jason Kottke

The fantastic art history YouTube channel Great Art Explained has a great two-episode series on Jackson Pollock.

In Part One of my film I look at how, post World War Two, the art scene shifted from Paris to New York. How America was searching for “The Great American painter”, and why he is so loved and hated at the same time. I look at just what Abstract Expressionism means, how we can “read it”, and I look at the myths surrounding Pollock and modern art itself. I also look at his influences ranging from Mexican sand Painting, to the Regionalist art movement, to Picasso and the modernists.

In Part Two of my film I look at how fame affected Jackson Pollock, and how alcohol destroyed his relationships. I look at the science behind why we are so affected by his work, and I also look at a lesser known story, of how art became an unlikely player in the Cold War and the global contest of ideas. How Abstract Expressionism was enlisted as an unknowing agent in a shadowy propaganda war, bankrolled by the CIA, to sell the story of freedom… and capitalism.

Tags: art · art school · Jackson Pollock · James Payne · video

💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org

The fantastic art history YouTube channel Great Art Explained has a great two-episode series on Jackson Pollock.

In Part One of my film I look at how, post World War Two, the art scene shifted from Paris to New York. How America was searching for “The Great American painter”, and why he is so loved and hated at the same time. I look at just what Abstract Expressionism means, how we can “read it”, and I look at the myths surrounding Pollock and modern art itself. I also look at his influences ranging from Mexican sand Painting, to the Regionalist art movement, to Picasso and the modernists.

In Part Two of my film I look at how fame affected Jackson Pollock, and how alcohol destroyed his relationships. I look at the science behind why we are so affected by his work, and I also look at a lesser known story, of how art became an unlikely player in the Cold War and the global contest of ideas. How Abstract Expressionism was enlisted as an unknowing agent in a shadowy propaganda war, bankrolled by the CIA, to sell the story of freedom… and capitalism.

Tags: art · art school · Jackson Pollock · James Payne · video

💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org

Comments 0

Log in to post a comment.

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Source Information
kottke.org
Web Publication

Published on June 30, 2025 by Jason Kottke

Visit Original Article
Advertise with Us

Reach our audience with your ads