Abstract expressionism and Richard Diebenkorn's travel between abstract and figuration

With this thesis study, changing American Art scene of 1950's, Abstract Expressionism (New York School) and Bay Area Figurative Movement have been examined, and West Coast Artist in US, Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993), who reflected these changes to his art very successfully, has been analysed. He was well known with his abstract paintings in 1950's, then turned to figurative painting in 1955's, and finally in 1967, he returned back to long and successful period of abstract painting which will continue for the next twenty years, titled as Ocean Park series. He moved backwards and forwards from abstraction to figuration which many of these changes were against the current trends. Many people were not sure who Dieberkorn was, exactly. Although, he did not take part in any revolutionary movement in the art history, but it is very significant as shown in this study that he was a contemporary American artist who could successfully combine varied movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Color Field Painting and European Painting. This study examines the important periods of Richard Diebenkorn's career and shows his sensitivity to his environment: Early period (1942-1953), Berkeley series (1953-1966), Ocean Park series (1967-1988) and after Ocean Park period. Key words: Richard Diebenkorn, abstract,figurative.