The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art
Art itself is a meaning. Abstract expressionists try to decipher meaning into their works. An abstract art is usually a spontaneous yet meaningful creation. It delves into the consciousness of the artist and transfers their views of life and a topic onto canvases.
Number 28 by Jackson Pollock especially captured me. From afar it looks like just a bunch of lines adjacent to each other. However the detail and carefulness of each brush stroke are truly amazing. Although it is careful, the brushstrokes are also free. There is no set pattern by the artist and the art isn’t confined by a single agenda. The artists work is characteristic of his ambition. Jackson Pollock always wanted a non-smooth life and welcomed rough terrain as a means and sign of freedom. This ambition is reminiscent in Number 38: there is no consistency. The brush strokes are both bold and thin. The coloring of the canvas is even altered. At first thought, this painting seemed to resemble a feeling of confusion and wildness but wildness in this case is symbolic of freedom.
William De Kooning’s works are also characteristic of his ambition. Women II takes an inner look at De Kooning’s mood about women. The woman is deformed and the breasts and hips are enlarged. De Kooning liked to mutilate women and depict women as vicious beasts. He uses many colors in his paintings. The face of the women is very scary and intimidating looking. Although it isn’t as famous as its predecessor Women I, Women II follows along the same lines. The latter painting isn’t as vicious towards the women however but there are still many disfigured body parts. The arm has many gashes and many blemishes. Although the womanly parts are enlarged, the figure isn’t very appealing. The figure on the alternatively is trying to capitalize on women by showing that the womanly features are the only appealing quality of the female. The marred personality is symbolized by the female’s imperfections.
A picture is symbolic of the artists’ mindset. Women II and Number 28 both represent art that delve into the ambitions and qualities of the artists.