Most Americans would have heard the names of Abstract Expressionists Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko
who have been a major figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement but how many have heard of Clyfford Still, the one with the rectangular blocks of color? Not many I suppose…. nevertheless only 30 years ago, Still was mentioned not just in the same breath as Pollock and Rothko, but also with admiration by these two artists themselves. While Pollock famously once said that "Still makes the rest of us look academic, Rothko declared that seeing Still's work was "a profound and moving experience."
And now it has taken thirty one years after his death and $29 million, and 30,000 sq. ft to create the formidable Clyfford Still Museum, an Art Museum that is devoted to America's forgotten great Abstract Expressionist.
Still who was known for his huge canvases, free expressive brushstrokes and use of abstract shapes, lines and forms played a huge part in the movement that brought about the shifting of the modern art world from Paris to New York. It was in the year 1979 that New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art presented a massively popular exhibition of Still's work that was the biggest presentation the institution had ever given to a living artist.
Quite tragically, the dimensions of Still's talent could not be appreciated in his lifetime and when in 1980, the painter died, more than 90% of his life's work was immediately sealed away from public and scholarly view. This was due to the fact that according to Still's will, all his unsold work was to be sequestered until an American city would establish "permanent quarters" devoted to his (and only his) work. Not only would there be no works of art from any other artist on display but it was also mentioned that there should be no auditorium and no restaurant.
Dozens of art institutions around America made attempts to convince Patricia, Still's widow that they would be the best custodians of her genius husband’s work but she rejected them all. And hence, for almost a quarter of a century, Still’s amazing art of around 825 canvases and 1,575 works on paper remained in storage, keeping his name and work away from the public eye. Up until in 1999 when Patricia finally selected Mile High City Denver out of numerous proposals to set up the museum.
The Clyfford Still Museum opened on Nov. 18, 2012 in downtown Denver and features in it’s initial stage a timeline of Still’s work consisting of 60 paintings, 40 pieces on paper and three sculptures, among which his early paintings done in Canada and Washington State and the works done when Still rejected the New York art establishment and moved to a farm in rural Maryland are notable.
Honoring Still’s wishes, Brad Cloepfil, the architect of the museum has managed to create the building’s design that neither competes nor detracts from Still’s paintings but, rather, serves to create a joint experience for the viewers.
In line with Still’s wishes, the architect of the museum, Brad Cloepfil, has succeeded in ensuring the building’s design neither competes nor detracts from Still’s paintings but, rather, serves to create a joint experience for the viewer.
According to historian David Anfam, the Clyfford Still Museum over the time will be able to restore Still to his rightful place: at the forefront of not just abstract expressionism, but 20th century American art!!!
