How Jackson Pollock became so overrated

There’s an overlooked reason for Pollock’s fame. Even if you love him, you might not know the name of the man who made him famous.

Jackson Pollock is one of the 20th century’s most famous artists. But do you know the critic who made his reputation?

Clement Greenberg is a well-known name in the art world, but not necessarily to art fans. However, he earned a reputation as one of the most influential art critics in the 20th century, whose legacy included the canonization of Jackson Pollock.

Abstract expressionist art needed vocal champions to support challenging, unique work, and Greenberg was the most powerful and vocal in his defense of the art and, in particular, Jackson Pollock. Greenberg went from tie salesman to intellectual in less than a decade, thanks to strongly worded arguments for a new artform. Jackson Pollock was one of his favorite artists, and the two spent time together socially as they simultaneously climbed in the art world.

Is Clement Greenberg the reason that Jackson Pollock is so famous? He’s definitely a part of it — and understanding the role of Greenberg and critics like him can be a useful tool to understanding art in the 20th century.

Overrated is a series that takes a look at the things we all know — the books, the trends, and the ideas that have become iconic — and answers the question: “Why is this so famous"?

[RobbyHuang]

So once again it seems that marketing is a big reason for somethings success.

[dm]

I like Pollocks stuff, but only because it seems unabashedly decorative. Cheap and cheerful. The fact that they're taken so seriously, and are so expensive, ruins it.

[ammaranuar]

Here's an undeniable american art legend for you:

Bob Ross.

[owRekssjfjxjxuurrpqpqss]

Expressionism is sometimes great, but names and connections are all that matters in the art world these days. Some of the world’s best modern artists will never be known, because the “high art” world is exclusive to those in the right location and connections.

[Urza]

I feel neither "genius" nor "overrated" when I look at Jackson's works. They make me feel hungry for cheeseburgers. The flowing lines feel like cheese and ketchup.

[nageshdhole]

This means you don't need skill but need a good manager

[TheEmpress]

We need to see an Overrated series on Fashion. Maybe Balenciaga, Dior, or Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.

[zestyorangez]

So what you're saying that the art world is an arbitrary and elitist culture where basically one guy decided what was and wasn't good?

[Wafflepudding]

Still looks like the apron of the guy that mixes paints at home depot. Come at me snobs.

[Qinniart]

One of my fav paintings is actually one where Norman Rockwell made fun of pollock via his painting of a man looking at pollock's painting lol

[matijastanivukovic]

Fun Fact. I made a Jackson Pollock painting during art class when I was 7, because I didn't know what to draw so I just randomly drew lines. What the funniest thing is that my teacher complemented it, so I put more colors and she said I ruined it.

[rebecadonadon]

Don’t get me wrong, there are some amazing abstract and modern artists that when I look at their work, I really feel something I can’t describe in words. But when I look at this I feel NOTHING. Because that’s exactly what it is, a bunch of doodles on canvas that is treated as a masterpiece. So other people try to find meaning in a piece of garbage for fear of being called uncultured when there are so many talented artists that will never be recognized because apparently a bunch of scribbles is amazing to look at.

[josephdiarra]

Vox : Pollock is overrated.

Also Vox: These white squares are a beautiful expression of modern art.

[MinecraftCutiepie]

'Overrated' is a relative term, and Pollock himself didn't really think his drip-paintings were all that deep so it's weird that so many people try to over-analyze them instead of just appreciating them as the nice visual experience they were intended to be.

[bnasty]

The talent didn’t make him popular or relevant, the media did.

[lukedavis]

Fun fact about pollock being overrated, Australia bought a painting of his in the early 70's and it was so expensive it literally became a political issue (and is still brought up in debates today) can't get much more overrated than that

[bluvillage]

The Mural painting in 1943 looks wonderful. I’d buy that. Because I like when abstract art tells a story or sets a mood, that sets a mood. Not the other ones I’ve seen of his.

[embqdho]

Two types of people:
Those who see this and think “Genius!”
and those who see it and think “Dropcloth.”

[sebastians]

You didn't really mention that Jackson Pollock was financially and socially backed by CIA programs. Artificially inflating his popularity. Why? Because his work was the exact polar opposite of Russian art. It represented 'all American freedom' more than at other artist at the time. And they were in a cold war between two competing ideologies. Russian painters were almost forced to be master realists, because the state would squash anything else. So Russian painting was labelled rigid, constrained and backward. Whilst the American abstract expressionists were held up as torch bearers of inalienable freedoms and expression of thought.

Theres a lot more on the CIAs many hilarious adventures during the cold war.

Just Google "Jackson Pollock funded by CIA"

[scene]

I never really understood this type of art

1:37 but the one kinda looks good to me like I see faces in the middle of the loops