 | What is abstract art? Art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures. |
Why is it important?
Abstract expressionism is a post–World War II art movement in American painting, developed in New York in the 1940s. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve international influence and put New York City at the center of the western art world, a role formerly filled by Paris.
Abstract expressionism is a post–World War II art movement in American painting, developed in New York in the 1940s. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve international influence and put New York City at the center of the western art world, a role formerly filled by Paris.
Featured ARtists
 | Janet Sobel (1893–1968) Ukraine & New Jersey/ America was a Ukrainian-American Abstract Expressionist whose career started mid-life, at age 45. Even with an artistic career as brief as hers, Sobel is the first artist to use the drip painting technique which directly influenced Jackson Pollock. |
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Jackson Pollock
(1912 – 1956)
Cody, Wyoming & New York City
Jackson Pollock is considered an Abstract Expressionist painter. He was the first "action painter", meaning that he would drip, pour, throw and splash his paint onto very large canvases which were often laid flat on the floor of his New York studio. Many say he would literally dance, as though in a trance, as he created his masterpieces. Pollock is widely considered the most challenging and influential American artist of the 20th century.
Featured Book: "Action Jackson"
(1912 – 1956)
Cody, Wyoming & New York City
Jackson Pollock is considered an Abstract Expressionist painter. He was the first "action painter", meaning that he would drip, pour, throw and splash his paint onto very large canvases which were often laid flat on the floor of his New York studio. Many say he would literally dance, as though in a trance, as he created his masterpieces. Pollock is widely considered the most challenging and influential American artist of the 20th century.
Featured Book: "Action Jackson"
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Wassily Kandinsky
(1866-1944)
Moscow, Russia
He is credited with painting one of the first recognized purely abstract works.In 1909 Kandinsky began to think that painting didn't need a particular subject, but that shapes and colors alone could be art. Over the next several years he would start to paint what would become known as Abstract Art. Kandinsky was one of the founding fathers of Abstract Art. Kandinsky felt that he could express feelings and music through colors and shapes in his paintings. For example, he thought that yellow had the crisp sound of a brass trumpet and that certain colors placed together could harmonize like chords on a piano. The shapes he was most interested in were the circle, triangle, and the square.
(1866-1944)
Moscow, Russia
He is credited with painting one of the first recognized purely abstract works.In 1909 Kandinsky began to think that painting didn't need a particular subject, but that shapes and colors alone could be art. Over the next several years he would start to paint what would become known as Abstract Art. Kandinsky was one of the founding fathers of Abstract Art. Kandinsky felt that he could express feelings and music through colors and shapes in his paintings. For example, he thought that yellow had the crisp sound of a brass trumpet and that certain colors placed together could harmonize like chords on a piano. The shapes he was most interested in were the circle, triangle, and the square.
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Alma Thomas
(1891 – 1978)
Georgia & Washington D.C.
was an Expressionist painter and art educator best known for her colorful abstract paintings. She lived and worked primarily in Washington, D.C. and The Washington Post described her as a force in the Washington Color School.
(1891 – 1978)
Georgia & Washington D.C.
was an Expressionist painter and art educator best known for her colorful abstract paintings. She lived and worked primarily in Washington, D.C. and The Washington Post described her as a force in the Washington Color School.
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Visual Art Standards
Essential Question
What can we learn from our responses to art?
I Can Statements
( K - 1st) I can describe what an image represents
(2nd- 3rd) I can speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art
(4th - 5th) I can compare responses to a work of art before and after working in similar media.
VOCABULARY
 | -Abstract -Expressionism -Paint -Action Painting -Non Representational -Lines -Broken Lines -Movement -Geometric Shapes -Radial Designs |
FEATURED PROJECTS
K - 2nd Grade
Marble Painting
Marble Painting
K - 5th Grade
Action Lines
Action Lines
3rd Grade - 5th Grade
Eye Dropper Action Paintings
Eye Dropper Action Paintings
Kindergarten -2nd Grade
Broken Line Paintings
Broken Line Paintings
Classroom Resources
| Songs | Read Aloud Stories |
Abstract Art Games & Finish Early Activities
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