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Exile and emigration played significant roles in the development and dissemination of Abstract Expressionism, particularly in what’s often termed the movement’s “International Influence.”
Many European artists fled to the United States during World War II and its aftermath, escaping the political turmoil and persecution in their home countries. These emigres brought with them a wealth of artistic knowledge and cultural influences, including elements of Surrealism, Cubism, and other European modernist movements. Artists such as Max Ernst, Piet Mondrian, and Fernand Léger found refuge in the U.S. and contributed to the vibrant artistic scene, influencing American artists and shaping the development of Abstract Expressionism.
The influx of European emigres into the United States facilitated a rich exchange of ideas and artistic practices between European and American artists. This cross-cultural exchange contributed to the development of a uniquely American strain of abstraction, blending European modernist influences with American artistic traditions and sensibilities. Artists like Arshile Gorky, who immigrated to the U.S. from Armenia, synthesized elements of European Surrealism and Cubism with American abstraction, helping to lay the groundwork for Abstract Expressionism.
For many European emigre artists, exile necessitated a process of adaptation and reinvention in their artistic practice. Displaced from their familiar surroundings and cultural contexts, these artists were forced to confront new challenges and opportunities in their work. Some embraced the ethos of Abstract Expressionism as a means of expressing their personal experiences of displacement and alienation, while others sought to integrate elements of their European heritage into their American artistic identity.
The influx of European emigres into the United States led to the formation of vibrant artistic communities in cities like New York, where artists from diverse backgrounds came together to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and exhibit their work. These artistic communities served as incubators for new artistic movements and innovations, fostering a spirit of experimentation and collaboration that was central to the development of Abstract Expressionism.
The legacy of European emigre artists in the development of Abstract Expressionism is profound and enduring. Their contributions helped to shape the movement’s aesthetic and conceptual framework, laying the groundwork for its emergence as a dominant force in the post-war American art world. The influence of European emigres can be seen in the work of artists such as Willem de Kooning, whose fusion of European modernism and American abstraction epitomizes the spirit of Abstract Expressionism.