Clyfford Still (photo credit: http://www.clyffordstill.net)
“I am not interested in illustrating my time. A man’s “time” limits him, it does not truly liberate him. Our age – it is one of science, of mechanism, of power and death. I see no point in adding to its mechanism of power and death. I see no point in adding to its mammoth arrogance the compliment of a graphic homage.” — Clyfford Still
Sundays with Clyfford Still is a weekly blog feature hosted by me, M.K. Hajdin, on this here very blog.
Abstract expressionist Clyfford Still (1904-1980) rubbed shoulders with household names like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, and yet most of the public has no idea who he was. Why is this?
One reason is because Still was a very complex and private person who scorned fame and fortune in order to follow his artistic vision. Until very recently, many of his works, papers and sketchbooks languished in storage. Now that the Clyfford Still Museum has opened in Denver, finally the art world is beginning to take notice. Maybe now he will get some of the recognition his art deserves.
The first time I ever saw an image of his work, it leaped out and grabbed me like Jaws. I had to find out all I could about the man who made it. Now you can follow along with me as I investigate Clyfford Still and his strange, reclusive life.
You can find all posts in the series under Categories on the right hand side of the screen and clicking on the box that says Sundays with Clyfford Still.
More links about Clyfford Still:
Clyfford Still’s Unyielding Will, by Geoff Van Dyke. Read this! It’s wonderful.
More Clyff links:
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-still-clyfford.htm
A woman looks at two paintings by Clyfford Still. Photo credit: CBC News
If you want to talk or share on Twitter, you can use this button here: Tweet #ClyffordLove
Exiled Stardust 
I first seen Clyfford Still’s shtuffs at the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo. The imagery seemed at least to me, hell bent on leaping off the canvas. His imagery was given more weight later that spring day in 1982. As the Knox Gallery was a stop over before heading to the airport to catch a plane to New City for 15 days of gallery hopping and to experiencing the big apple. Two days in, it came apparent to the influence Clyfford Still made on the art world at the time. Oddly enough it was the markings on brick building in Soho which reminded me of his paintings back in Buffalo. This was at the time when Keith Haring was running around town doing his Falling Man thing on the then abandon buildings in the neighbourhood he lived an worked. It was people like Clyfford Still that had influenced him. It was obvious so I thought at the time that Haring was taking the sensibility an energy in a Still work and literally taking it off the canvas and throwing it off the roof. So it was cool to see Sundays with Clyfford Still here. It brought back fabulous memories and made me think of things which have laid dormant for too long.
I have subscribed to both your sites so I don’t miss anything. Plus I promise I will behave myself.
Wow. That is the most lavish and incredibly detailed compliment this blog has ever received. I wish I could frame it and put it on my wall.
I just can’t say ‘cool’.
Why not?
I can just say cool, but isn’t an explanation as to why something is ‘cool’ better.
Well, then, you CAN say cool, but you choose not to. 🙂
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