In the early 1950s, Jackson Pollock became the “darling” of the art scene in New York with his Abstract Expressionism paintings. Some called him Jack the Dribbler because of laying canvases on the floor and dripping paint onto them straight from the can or with a stick or trowel. In this way, he used the force of his whole body to paint, allowing himself to feel that he was inside the painting.

“When I am in my painting, I’m not aware of what I’m doing”~Jackson Pollock.

While painting in this manner, Pollock challenged what would be considered the Western tradition of using brushes and easels.

“I feel nearer, more a part of the painting, since this way I can walk round it, work from the sides and literally be in the painting.”~Jackson Pollock.

It was as if Pollock was ‘dancing’ as he kept flinging, pouring, dripping and spattering paint on an un-stretched canvas lain upon the floor of his studio barn.

“My painting does not come from the easel. I prefer to tack the un-stretched  canvas to the hard wall or the floor. I need the resistance of a hard surface. On the floor I am more at ease. I feel nearer, more part of the painting, since this way I can walk around it, work from the four sides and literally be in the painting.