Abject Expressionism?

I recently came across an unfamiliar art term: Abject Expressionism. Abstract Expressionism, a post-WW II New York phenomenon, keeps raising its ugly head, mainly in the dire tripe of Mark Rothko and Jackson "Jack the Dribbler" Pollock (CLICK). But Abject Expressionism? The earliest mention I found is in the title of a book by Ron English: ABJECT EXPRESSIONISM: The Art of Ron English (2007). Do I detect a touch of Ron's humour in this title? Anyway, the Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA) uses the term in its latest exhibition: L.A. RAW: Abject Expressionism in Los Angeles 1945-1980, From Rico Lebrun to Paul McCarthy (title link). It seems to mean "figurative expressionism", example William Brice's Untitled (Malibu Figure) from 1968. If you're thinking of visiting the show, note that discretion is advised: "This exhibition contains mature content". Oo-er.