Michael (Corinne) West (1908 – 1991), initially named Corinne Michelle West, stands as an unsung pioneer of New York’s Abstract Expressionist movement. Her artistic journey, from Chicago to the studios of Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning, was marked by a bold evolution. West’s intuitive approach embraced Cubist explorations, explosive action paintings, and dynamic collage compositions. Immersed in the vibrant milieu of 1940s New York, West, at the urging of her friend Arshile Gorky, adopted the male moniker “Michael” to sidestep gender bias. Her artworks, now gaining overdue recognition, reflect a fusion of emotional intensity and spontaneous energy, echoing the ethos of Abstract Expressionism. Her work can be found in the collections of the Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, The Rockwell Museum, Corning, NY, and The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg.