Noontime Knowledge presentation by art historian Sara Howells of the Triptych Federation.

Jackson Pollock, American Artist and Unknowing Spy

During the Cold War, the newly formed CIA found itself in the middle of a culture war, one for which they were unprepared. They needed a covert way to spread messages of American individuality, freedom, and innovation in the face of Soviet traditionalism. Recently declassified documents have shed new light on thw extent to which Abstract Experessionist art shows were used as American propaganda and espionage. 

Sara Howells is an art historian who has taught at Penn State and West Chester. As co-founder of the Triptych Federation, she brings college quality lectures to the community.