When one thinks of Jackson Pollock, associations such as ‘hugely important abstract artist,’ spring to mind. What he is less likely to evoke is the idea of a passionate amateur cook known for his award winning apple pie. And yet…  a new book, Dinner with Jackson Pollock lifts the lid on his little known secret life in the kitchen, one in which he loved cooking, entertaining and – his particular favorite – baking. As fans of Pollock’s work in all its powerful glory, we were kind of surprised to read of this unexpectedly homely passion – especially given how notorious he is for his slightly wilder ways. What’s more surprising still is that the recipes he came up with are really rather good.

Written by the Australian photographer Robyn Lea, Dinner with Jackson Pollock came about after a trip she took to his former home in Springs, East Hampton. Now a museum, alongside his famous studio, much of Pollock’s house has been kept just as it was, including his much loved kitchen. On seeing the Le Creuset pots lined up along the shelves of his pantry, the idea struck Lea that this was a house that had belonged to a couple of real foodies. On investigation, she found she was totally right. Research and some poking about revealed recipes handwritten by both Pollock and Lea tucked away in the back of well thumbed cookbooks as well as carefully kept instructions that had come from Pollock’s mother. From healthy juices to exotic picnics, hearty American classics such as Mac and cheese to Pollock’s traditional apple pie (one that won awards regularly at local shows,) those recipes are all now laid out for everyone to see and enjoy. That they come from such an expected source only serves to make them all the more special. Best still, the possibility that Jackson Pollock might in some way be able to make an appearance at your ideal dinner party may no longer be such a long shot in after all.

Dinner with Jackson Pollock is published by Assouline

Photo courtesy of Assouline