Women Painters of the U.S. and Painting Outside of the Mainstream(L4)

Starting from scratch and beginning anew in artistic expression.
The concept discussed in relation to Carol Rosenberg, a critic known for discussing the transformational aspects of expressionism.
Emphasizes action-making; a key term discussed in earlier classes.

The article under discussion was brief and characterized by its striking ideas.
Focus on psychological engagement and transcendence through the act of creation in art.
- Quote on page five: "…the work or the act translates the cycle psychologically, given into attention, into the world, and thus transcendence."
- Suggests an act of performance that conveys both personal and universal themes.
Shift away from traditional aesthetics:
- "With traditional aesthetic references discarded as irrelevant, what gives the canvas its meaning at this point is not psychological data, but role."
- The role mentioned refers to how artists express emotional and intellectual energy in authentic ways.

Artists are encouraged to discard previously held conventions in painting, which are deemed irrelevant.
This process leads to a fresh perspective in which meaning comes from individual expression rather than established rules.
It highlights the artistic freedom sought in expressionism, likening it to performing a role in a living situation.

Art becomes an avenue for personal exploration and expression, embodying the totality of the artist's self:
- Influences of exhilaration and exhaustion find representation on the canvas.
- Quote: "On the one hand, a desperate recognition of moral or intellectual exhaustion; on the other, the exhilaration of the adventure…"
The act of painting becomes a resurrection of the artist’s identity, often revealing personal growth and exploration of the self.

Art as an action forms a foundation based on what the artist is currently creating:
- "Art as action rests on the enormous assumption that the artist accepts as real only that which he is in the process of creating."
Continuous evolution requires the artist to engage with their work in a way that generates a fresh experience each time they create.

Students are encouraged to look up unfamiliar vocabulary and discuss difficulties in comprehension during lectures.

Discussion shifts to highlight the often-overlooked contributions of female artists during the mid-twentieth century abstract expressionist movement.
- Despite historical narratives mainly focusing on male figures, women were pivotal in shaping this artistic landscape.
Women engaged with form and color, often on the fringes of the mainstream recognition.
The New American Painting exhibition highlighted their contributions, taking place across eight European countries from 1958 to 1959.
- Aimed to showcase American artists amid competition between Europe and America post-WWII.
The exhibition served as cultural diplomacy, promoting American democratic values through art, contrasting with Soviet ideologies.

Machines form a core subject in her work; emphasized the tension between realism and abstraction.
Managed to blend mechanical imagery with botanical themes, emphasizing texture, color, and spatial elements.
Resisted pure abstraction, believing the recognizable elements could provide effective communication without losing artistic integrity.

Explored spatial dynamics within smaller canvas works while paralleling Jackson Pollock's evolution.
Her emotional responses to experiences significantly influenced her abstractions, creating a unique artistic narrative.
- Example work: "Bald Eagle" (1955) combining collage techniques and abstract forms.
- Expansion in her studio led to larger, vivacious works after Pollock's death, showcasing the complexity of grief intertwined with creativity.

Pioneered themes of personal narrative and representation through abstraction; blended figuration into her pieces.
Example work: "Purging Jacket" highlights a focus on the human form alongside elements of abstraction.

Explored representation through abstraction, focusing on movement and emotional expression in her artworks.
Featured in dialogue with other figures, such as Hartigan, detailing the emotional intensity of women artists during this time.

Known for her dynamic approach to color and construction in her works; explored landscapes both urban and rural in her unique style.
Emphasized deliberate decision-making during the painting process, fostering a relationship between artist and canvas.

His work, influenced by Eastern culture, engaged in universalizing human experience through abstraction, characterized by "white writing".
- Achieved a successful art career that operated outside of mainstream recognition.

A prominent African-American artist contributing to abstract expressionism while addressing themes within black identity and culture.
Sought to portray universal experiences while remaining conscious of his cultural heritage.

Focused on social themes, particularly regarding African American migration, using vibrant colors and abstract storytelling to encapsulate historical narratives.
- Work such as the "Migration Series" effectively conveyed the migration of African Americans to urban centers with a unique visual language.