Memory, Myth, and Magic

"Clyfford Still’s art and thought are pervaded with powerful, albeit subtle, allusions to memory (both cultural and personal), the ancient past and to long-established aesthetic traditions that are sometimes summoned only to be shattered afresh in his hands. This exhibition—covering a span of approximately forty years (c.1929-70) and including over fifty paintings, photographs by the artist himself, works on paper and sculptures—explores these currents of imagery and ideas that surge through Still’s figurative and abstract compositions. Unlock the mysteries to Still's extensive body of work." CSM

"After seeing many of Clyfford Still's works I have come to the conclusion that he is a sorcerer with powerful magic...Nay! An Earth Shaker."- Clay Spohn, artist and colleague of Clyfford Still

David Anfam, senior consulting curator to the Museum gave a lecture on May 23, 2013 to increase understanding of Still's work and how he managed his own narrative. We learned about a book from Still's library, Themis by Jane Harrison, that influenced how he thought about his work and how he described it. Before Pollack and before Gottleib brought the primitive into their work, Clyfford Still was delving into the primitive mind and espousing "making something out of your self".