Jack Tworkov (1900-1982) was an American abstract expressionist painter. Tworkov came into his celebrated artistic style in the 1950s, and a majority of work from this time is characterized by gestural brush strokes and vivid colors. The use of straight lines and geometric patterns is commonly seen in his later work, beginning in the late 1960s. Along with being an artist, Tworkov was an esteemed professor and taught at many universities during his lifetime, including Black Mountain College, Columbia University, and Yale University.
During his time working for the Federal Art Project division of the Work Projects Administration, Tworkov met Willem de Kooning. From 1948 to 1953, both artists shared an adjoined studio, and their conversations often influenced Tworkov’s works greatly. The friendship between Tworkov and de Kooning lasted long into their mature careers, as they were both instrumental to The New York School and the 8th Street Club.
Tworkov’s work is in the permanent collection of the Modern Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the Tate Modern, among many others.