The Abstract Expressionist, Mark Rothko was born in Dvinsk, Russian Empire in 1903. His family immigrated to the United States and Rothko began schooling in 1913 in Portland, Oregon. He excelled at school and would graduate with honours, earning a scholarship to Yale. After the first year, his scholarship was pulled and he ended up dropping out during his sophomore year. He found work in New Yorks garment district and studied under Abstract Expressionist Arshile Gorky and Cubist Max Weber. His style would flow between expressionism to primitivism to his eventual study of colour and light. As his fame grew, Rothko became more protective over his work, stopping sales and avoiding exhibitions. He believed that his artwork was a spiritual experience, which would lead to the building of the Rothko Chapel. Yeah, the guy has his own church. Though often associated with modern advancements in art and things like IKEA, Rothko detested Pop Art. Rothko was diagnosed with a mild aortic aneurysm in 1968 but he refused to do anything about it. He smoked, drank heavily and continued to eat fatty foods. His marriage to Mell Beistle disintegrated and they separated in 1969. In 1970, he was found dead in his apartment. Rothko slit his wrists and had overdosed on anti-depressants.
