A Last Blow? T. J. Clark on Pollock and Abstract Expressionism

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2015, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (2): 25-31.

• Issue in Focus: Theoretical Studies in the Context of Contemporary Art • Previous Articles Next Articles

A Last Blow? T. J. Clark on Pollock and Abstract Expressionism

Zhu Geyi

the Institute of Aesthetic and Critical Theory, Zhejiang University (Hangzhou 310058, China)

Online:2015-03-25 Published:2015-06-17
About author:Zhuge Yi is a Ph.D student at the Institute of Aesthetic and Critical Theory, Zhejiang University (Hangzhou 310058, China), with research interests in western art history, art theory and art criticism.

Abstract

Abstract: T. J. Clark carries forward the logic of social history of art which he developed and operated in his study of Courbet and Manet into his analysis of Pollock and Abstract Expressionism. Clark argues that Pollock continued the radical tradition of modern art by resisting similarity and metaphor while Abstract Expressionism continued it with its 'vulgarity' quality. However, their resistances were devoured by the totality of capitalist culture. Clark's pessimistic conclusion is that the modernist tradition of 'negativity' can't continue.

Key words: T. J. Clark, social history of art, Jackson Pollock, abstract expressionism, modernist negativity

Zhu Geyi. A Last Blow? T. J. Clark on Pollock and Abstract Expressionism[J]. Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art, 2015, 35(2): 25-31.

References

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A Last Blow? T. J. Clark on Pollock and Abstract Expressionism

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