Paul Jenkins: From America’s Heartland to an International Journey

February 9 – June 26, 2022

Paul Jenkins (American, 1923-2012). Acrylic on canvas. 75 ¼ x 67 3/8 x 1 3/4 inches. Haskell Collection.
Paul Jenkins (American, 1923-2012) Phenomena Magnetic Octaves, 1981. Acrylic on canvas. 75 ¼ x 67 3/8 x 1 3/4 inches. Haskell Collection.

Paul Jenkins (American, 1923-2012) represents the legion of Abstract Expressionist artists who altered the landscape of modern art. Jenkins found inspiration in his journeys around the world, particularly time spent in Japan. He is celebrated for his unorthodox approach to paint application. In the early 1950s and throughout his life, the artist worked with controlled paint pouring. This method allowed him to create layers of translucent color as well as render stark contrasts between light and dark. This exhibition, drawn from the holdings of the Haskell Collection in Jacksonville, Florida, and the Jenkins Estate, looks at the evolution of Jenkins’ art from his large-scale paintings to works on paper. The exhibition will demonstrate how Jenkins’ groundbreaking techniques and imagery helped transform post-war painting.