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Thursday, August 15, 2024

Jack Tworkov

Art Appreciation 

Jack Tworkov, originally Yakov Tworkovsky, was born on August 15, 1900, in the border town of Biała Podlaska on the Poland/Russia border. In 1913, he immigrated to the United States along with his mother and sister to reunite with their father, who had arrived earlier.

Initially, Tworkov's interests leaned away from painting, leading him to enroll at Columbia University with aspirations of becoming a writer. It was his sister's encouragement that redirected him toward art, prompting him to attend classes at the Art Students League of New York.

However, it was during his time at Columbia University that Tworkov's path intersected with modernist ideals, eventually molding his unique artistic style. His creative journey was profoundly shaped by his interactions with notable artists and intellectuals of the era, including luminaries like Willem de Kooning, Hans Hofmann, and John Dewey. These encounters ignited his exploration of abstraction, propelling him into experiments that intertwined form and color.

Tworkov and de Koonig, in the company of fellow abstract painters such as Arshile Gorky, Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollock, were instrumental in founding the New York School, a pivotal collective within the abstract expressionist movement.

Throughout his life, Tworkov assumed teaching roles in numerous institutions, leaving his mark at places like American University, Black Mountain College, Queens College, Pratt Institute, University of Minnesota, Columbia University, and Yale University, where he served as the Art Department's chairman from 1963 to 1969.

Jack Tworkov's influence on American Abstract Expressionism remains steadfast. His art bridged the gap between abstract concepts and intellectual depth, infusing each canvas with narratives that transcended mere visuals. He adeptly navigated the delicate equilibrium between structure and spontaneity, establishing a legacy that continues to inspire and challenge contemporary artists.


Red Robe (1947)

Pink Mississippi (1954)

Untitled (1954)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.wikiart.org/en/jack-tworkov/pink-mississippi-1954

https://jacktworkov.org/

https://www.vandorenwaxter.com/artists/jack-tworkov-estate

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