Leading up to and during World War 2, many important european artists and art dealers escaped the treachery of the nazis and moved to New York City. Paris had been the hub of the art world until WW2 made the scene impossible to thrive in. New York City became the new hub of the art world were new American artists began a series of innovations leading the way to Abstract Expressionism. Arshile Gorky was one of the major forces at the beginning Abstract Expressionism.
Jackson Pollocks innovative methods of action painting really cemented abstract expressionism into the art world during the 1940s. He was into the experience of creating. By not using the traditional easel and paintbrush techniques Pollock opened the door to countless possibilities available to artists. By laying out large pieces of canvass on the floor and literally attacking it from all sides his work looked spontaneous even though he always carefully planned them. 
