Abstract Expressionism as International Cultural Policy in Practice: The Case of Jackson Pollock

This study addresses the promotion of Abstract Expressionism and its representative artist Jackson Pollock within the framework of the United States’ international cultural policy initiatives (and) in practice during the Cold War period (1946–1989). To this end, it analyzes relevant programs, projects, strategies, and legislative efforts, as well as the accompanying role of key actors involved in the country’s international cultural policy/diplomacy efforts, such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Congress for Cultural Freedom, the US Government, etc. To demonstrate the implementation of cultural policies in practice, it investigates relevant international exhibitions of the movement and the artist as an instrument of cultural diplomacy. Additionally, it relates historical findings to concurrent cultural policy/diplomacy debates and provides recommendations for future research. The study predominantly analyzed online data from research archives with catalogues of exhibitions, press releases, US’ national archives and other governmental records, alongside period literature, monographs with interviews and reviews, research reports, newspaper articles, etc. On this basis, it establishes more comprehensive and accurate understandings of the international cultural policy and of its actual practice with respect to a particular (representative of the) art movement during a specific historical period, and complements existing research in this field.