Abstract Expressionist Helen Frankenthaler has an exhibit on view, “Paintings 1961-1973” at the Berggruen Gallery in San Francisco. She “introduced the technique of painting directly onto an unprepared canvas so that the material absorbs the colors. She heavily diluted the oil paint with turpentine so that the color would soak into the canvas. This technique, known as “soak stain” was used by Jackson Pollock and others…”

FYI: Abstract Expressionism was an American post-World War II art movement. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve worldwide influence and put New York City at the center of the western art world, a role formerly filled by Paris. (per WikiPedia)

Helen Frankenthaler *“Paintings 1961-1973″

John Berggruen Gallery, 228 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA