The artwork “Shimmering Substance” is an abstract oil on canvas painting created by artist Jackson Pollock in 1946. It is an exemplar of the action painting genre within the larger context of the Abstract Expressionist movement. The painting measures 76.3 by 61.6 centimeters and is housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, United States.
“Shimmering Substance” features a dense web of paint that covers the canvas, indicative of Pollock’s signature drip technique. The composition is complex, with intertwining yellow swirls and strands that seem to float over a textured field layered with white, red, orange, and other hues. The paint application appears spontaneous and dynamic, with drips, splatters, and looping lines creating a sense of energy and motion. Despite the lack of a recognizable subject matter, the painting evokes an almost tangible sense of depth and luminosity, inviting viewers to interpret the forms and color relations that emerge from the layers of paint.
