Learning from “The East”: Mark Tobey’s “White Writing” and the Shaping of American Abstract Expressionism

This paper explores the theme of artistic “cross-pollination” through the lens of Mark Tobey (1890-1976)’s engagement with East Asian aesthetics and philosophies, significantly impacting post-World War II American abstract art. Tobey’s integration of Chinese calligraphy and Japanese Zen Buddhism...

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Main Author: Zhong, Phyllis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Fondazione Università Ca’ Foscari 2024-12-01
Series:Venezia Arti
Subjects:
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.30687/VA/2385-2720/2024/01/007
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author Zhong, Phyllis
author_facet Zhong, Phyllis
author_sort Zhong, Phyllis
collection DOAJ
description This paper explores the theme of artistic “cross-pollination” through the lens of Mark Tobey (1890-1976)’s engagement with East Asian aesthetics and philosophies, significantly impacting post-World War II American abstract art. Tobey’s integration of Chinese calligraphy and Japanese Zen Buddhism into his artistic vocabulary represents a vivid example of cultural hybridization, where Chinese and Japanese influences not only transformed his stylistic approach but also contributed to the evolution of modernist expressions in “the West”.Mark Tobey, an influential figure in American abstract art, drew profound inspiration from his experiences in China and Japan and his mentorship under the Chinese artist Teng Baiye (1900-1980), leading to the development of his unique “White Writing” style.
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record_format Article
series Venezia Arti
spelling doaj-art-d7929929c6614029ba4b5a1e3acab0e32024-12-09T11:25:14ZengFondazione Università Ca’ FoscariVenezia Arti2385-27202024-12-0133110.30687/VA/2385-2720/2024/01/007journal_article_21579Learning from “The East”: Mark Tobey’s “White Writing” and the Shaping of American Abstract ExpressionismZhong, Phyllis0Heidelberg University This paper explores the theme of artistic “cross-pollination” through the lens of Mark Tobey (1890-1976)’s engagement with East Asian aesthetics and philosophies, significantly impacting post-World War II American abstract art. Tobey’s integration of Chinese calligraphy and Japanese Zen Buddhism into his artistic vocabulary represents a vivid example of cultural hybridization, where Chinese and Japanese influences not only transformed his stylistic approach but also contributed to the evolution of modernist expressions in “the West”.Mark Tobey, an influential figure in American abstract art, drew profound inspiration from his experiences in China and Japan and his mentorship under the Chinese artist Teng Baiye (1900-1980), leading to the development of his unique “White Writing” style. http://doi.org/10.30687/VA/2385-2720/2024/01/007American abstract expressionism. Chinese ink painting. Cultural hybridization. Mark Tobey. Teng Baiye
spellingShingle Zhong, Phyllis
Learning from “The East”: Mark Tobey’s “White Writing” and the Shaping of American Abstract Expressionism
Venezia Arti
American abstract expressionism. Chinese ink painting. Cultural hybridization. Mark Tobey. Teng Baiye
title Learning from “The East”: Mark Tobey’s “White Writing” and the Shaping of American Abstract Expressionism
title_full Learning from “The East”: Mark Tobey’s “White Writing” and the Shaping of American Abstract Expressionism
title_fullStr Learning from “The East”: Mark Tobey’s “White Writing” and the Shaping of American Abstract Expressionism
title_full_unstemmed Learning from “The East”: Mark Tobey’s “White Writing” and the Shaping of American Abstract Expressionism
title_short Learning from “The East”: Mark Tobey’s “White Writing” and the Shaping of American Abstract Expressionism
title_sort learning from the east mark tobey s white writing and the shaping of american abstract expressionism
topic American abstract expressionism. Chinese ink painting. Cultural hybridization. Mark Tobey. Teng Baiye
url http://doi.org/10.30687/VA/2385-2720/2024/01/007
work_keys_str_mv AT zhongphyllis learningfromtheeastmarktobeyswhitewritingandtheshapingofamericanabstractexpressionism