Clyfford Still Museum — Attraction in Denver

Let's dive into the dynamic world of Clyfford Still’s work and the Denver museum that honors his legacy.

Clyfford Still’s Paintings: Exegesis

Clyfford Still (1904-1980) was one of the leading figures of Abstract Expressionism, alongside artists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning. However, Still was unique even among these groundbreaking figures. His paintings are intense, often massive, abstract canvases characterized by bold and jagged forms of color. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Still rejected the idea of creating art that depicted subjects or stories. Instead, his focus was on form, color, and texture to provoke an immediate and visceral response in the viewer.

Abstracted Shapes and Color Blocks: Still’s signature style involved large, torn-looking fields of color that seem to both harmonize and clash, representing internal and external conflicts. His works often featured stark contrasts, such as deep blacks, yellows, reds, and whites that suggest raw energy and emotion. Unlike traditional composition, his forms appear as if they’ve broken free from the canvas, like ruptures or fissures. The paintings almost feel geological, representing tectonic forces within the psyche.

Emotion and Ambiguity: Still’s works often evoke a sense of deep introspection and existential tension, an experience rooted in color relationships and form rather than representational meaning. He viewed his art as a process of revealing his inner self and, by extension, hoped to inspire viewers to confront their own emotions. His paintings invite viewers into a liminal space where they can experience these feelings in a direct and unmediated way.

Legacy and Rebellion: Despite being highly influential, Still resisted mainstream success and avoided the New York art scene. He chose to retain control over his work and often withheld his art from galleries, believing that the commercial art world could not do it justice. This fierce independence added a sense of purity and integrity to his legacy. By hoarding much of his work throughout his life, he curated his own legacy, ensuring that his art would be experienced on his own terms.

The Clyfford Still Museum: Architecture and Story

The Clyfford Still Museum, designed by architect Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture, opened in Denver in 2011. The museum houses approximately 95% of Still’s life’s work, including around 800 paintings and 1,600 works on paper—an unprecedented concentration of a single artist’s output.

Architectural Vision: Cloepfil’s architectural approach aimed to create a meditative space that reflects Still’s intense, introspective work. The building itself is a quiet, rectangular structure, constructed largely of textured concrete walls that hint...

I Accidentally purchase tickets to this museum (Which is located in Colorado) while I was in a busy crowd at the City Museum in St. Louis. I simply typed in "City Museum" into a google search and somehow this was the first one that came up in my google search. In a rush to avoid the long line at City museum and use the much faster "Online tickets" line, I quickly purchased my tickets and proceeded to check in at the City Museum. I was baffled when they told me that the tickets were not for their museum. I quickly went to the website they provided and got the right tickets. I thought nothing of it thinking " I will request a refund later for this simple mistake" however it wasn't that simple. I sent an email to customer service requesting a refund for the true mistake I had made and thought I would be greeted with friendly, helpful Customer Service people. Nope! Not the case, they quickly pointed out that the tickets said "Non refundable" when I purchased them. However if I didn't even notice that I was purchasing tickets to the wrong museum SEVERAL STATES AWAY, then I can assume you the fine print was not on my radar to check. Oh well, Chalk it up to experience. Enjoy my $20 donation I guess, Since I won't be seeing that again. I just wish we had real people in this world that understood real situations and that a...

I had the pleasure of visiting the Clyfford Still Museum and I was thoroughly impressed. From the moment you walk in, you are transported into the world of abstract expressionist artist Clyfford Still. The museum's stunning architecture, combined with the careful curation of Still's works, creates an immersive and captivating experience.

The collection on display is truly breathtaking, with an emphasis on showcasing Still's later works which are often considered some of his most powerful. Each piece is thoughtfully placed and accompanied by detailed explanations, providing visitors with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the artist's process and vision.

I particularly appreciated the museum's commitment to preserving Still's legacy, as evidenced by the extensive conservation and restoration efforts that have gone into the collection. The museum's attention to detail and respect for the artist's work is truly impressive.

Overall, I highly recommend a visit to the Clyfford Still Museum for anyone who appreciates modern art and wants to learn more about one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. It's a hidden gem in Denver that should...