Jackson Mac Low was born on December 12, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a creative and artistic household, which inspired his passion for poetry and performance art from a young age. Mac Low studied at the University of Chicago and later at Brooklyn College, where he honed his skills as a composer and playwright.
Mac Low's avant-garde and non-intentional compositional methods set him apart in the world of poetry and performance art. His works, such as The Virginia Woolf Poems, Eight Drawing-Asymmetries, and Verdurous Sanguinaria, showcased his unique approach to artistic expression.
In 1962, Mac Low married artist Iris Lezak, with whom he shared a creative partnership for sixteen years. After their divorce in 1978, Mac Low found love again with poet Anne Tardos. The couple married in 1990 and remained together until Mac Low's passing. Mac Low had two children, a son named Mordecai-Mark and a daughter named Clarinda, whom he shared with his first wife.
Throughout his career, Mac Low's work was featured in over ninety anthologies and periodicals, solidifying his reputation as a groundbreaking poet and artist. His experimental approach to composition and performance art drew inspiration from the likes of avant-garde composer John Cage, further showcasing his innovative mindset.
Overall, Jackson Mac Low's artistic journey was marked by creativity, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of artistic expression. His legacy continues to inspire artists and audiences alike, reminding us of the power of avant-garde and non-intentional art forms.