Jackson Pollock's journey into the art world during the 1930s and early 1940s marked a period of intense experimentation and the laying of groundwork for his later revolutionary techniques. Born in Cody, Wyoming, in 1912, Pollock moved with his family throughout the Southwest during his childhood, exposing him to a range of experiences and landscapes that would later influence his art (Encyclopedia Britannica) (Wikipedia).
In the early 1930s, after moving to New York City, Pollock was introduced to the world of professional art education at the Art Students League, where he studied under Thomas Hart Benton. Benton's influence on Pollock was profound, not so much in stylistic terms but more so in fostering Pollock's commitment to art. Despite Benton's Regionalist style, which Pollock would ultimately diverge from, the mentorship provided Pollock with a foundational understanding of the importance of creating a deeply personal art form (The Art Story) (Wikipedia).
During this time, Pollock also became exposed to Surrealism and the work of Mexican muralists such as José Clemente Orozco and Diego Rivera. These influences are evident in Pollock's early work, which often depicted totemic figures and symbols, alongside a burgeoning interest in depicting the subconscious, a key tenet of Surrealism (The Art Story) (Jackson Pollock Org). His exposure to the works of Pablo Picasso and the power of European modernism, particularly through a significant Picasso exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art in 1939, pushed Pollock towards exploring new styles and methods, incorporating more abstract and totemic elements into his work (Jackson Pollock Org).
The 1930s also saw Pollock working for the WPA Federal Art Project, a New Deal program designed to employ artists during the Great Depression. This period was marked by financial hardship but provided Pollock with a steady income to continue developing his art. His work from this era, while not yet exhibiting the drip techniques for which he would later become famous, showcased a growing interest in abstract forms and the emotional capacity of art (The Art Story) (Wikipedia).
By the early 1940s, Pollock's style had begun to evolve significantly. He experimented with the use of liquid paint and the process of pouring and dripping, which would become central to his later work. This period was also marked by a deep personal struggle with alcoholism, which Pollock battled throughout his life. In 1945, his marriage to fellow artist Lee Krasner, who would become a significant influence and advocate of his work, marked a turning point. Krasner introduced Pollock to the New York avant-garde, including key figures such as Hans Hofmann and Peggy Guggenheim, further integrating him into the circles that would champion his work (The Art Story) (Wikipedia).
These early years were critical in shaping Pollock's artistic trajectory. While his later work would overshadow these early experiments in terms of fame, the 1930s and early 1940s were a period of significant growth and exploration for Pollock, setting the stage for the revolutionary techniques he would develop in the subsequent decade (The Art Story) (Wikipedia) (Jackson Pollock Org).