The Turning Point: The Abstract Expressionists and the Transformation of American Art

First published in 1992, this book is both biography and art history. My favorite. It is a detailed account and monthly report of what, when, who and why on the birth of American Abstract Expressionism. It is almost a daily account of the beginning of the "New York School," including Pollock, Rothko, Kline and Gottlieb, thru to Motherwell, Still, Reinhardt and everyone else who were in their studios at the end of World War Two. Artists were full of exhilaration and anxiety as they broke free from the exhausted European art community. Matisse and Picasso were still the "anointed ones." American artists were snubbed by the European old guard - so in typical American fashion, they started their own movement. It was around the time when I was born, 1943. Many of these artists felt a missionary's zeal to reinvent what art should be. I am intrigued how they continued on with little or no money. Willem deKooning said, "We all had bad, hard times." I like how Elaine deKooning explained it, recalling earlier times: "We never considered ourselves poor. We just didn't have any money." Considering our current economy, this may be a timely book. April Kingsley knew many of these artists personally. In her daily account, she interviewed every artist, spouse, friends and documented in detail, how and why they created their new art. I love this book and its history lesson.