“Painting is self-discovery. Every good artist paints what he is.”
Jackson Pollock Number 28, 1949 signed and dated ‘Jackson Pollock 49’ (lower left) enamel on canvas mounted on Masonite 12 7/8 x 13 in. (32.5 x 33 cm.) Painted in 1949. Price realised USD 6,705,000
Is attending art school necessary to become an artist?
Jean-Michel Basquiat did not attend formal art school. Instead, he was largely self-taught and became known as part of the street art scene in New York City in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He gained prominence through his graffiti work under the pseudonym “SAMO” and later transitioned to more formal art settings, becoming a major figure in the neo-expressionist movement. His raw talent, distinctive style, and bold commentary on issues such as race and class distinguished him as a powerful force in contemporary art without traditional academic training.
Andy Warhol did receive formal art education. He studied commercial art at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1949 with a degree in pictorial design. His education and subsequent work as a commercial illustrator greatly influenced his later artistic style and approach, particularly in his role as a leading figure of the Pop Art movement. Warhol’s use of mass production techniques, celebrity culture, and commercial imagery are often attributed to his early professional experiences and training.
Jackson Pollock did attend formal art school. He studied at the Art Students League of New York, where he was taught by Thomas Hart Benton, a leading American regionalist painter. Benton’s focus on rhythmic and dynamic compositions influenced Pollock’s early work, although Pollock later developed his unique style, breaking away from his mentor’s realism. Pollock became known for his groundbreaking drip and action painting techniques, making him one of the most significant figures in abstract expressionism.
David Hockney attended art school and had a formal education in the arts. He studied at the Bradford College of Art in his hometown in England and later attended the Royal College of Art in London. Hockney gained recognition during his time at the Royal College, becoming a leading figure in the British Pop Art movement. His formal training helped him experiment with various media and styles, making him one of the most versatile and influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
