Untitled (PH-950)
7:00 AM |
| Clyfford Still, Untitled (PH-950), 1950 |
By MISSY ROSENTHAL
Clyfford Still described art as "an unqualified act." Although Still endured many years of school at the undergraduate and graduate levels, he felt that art simply was an act of individualism and required no schooling or formal training. Therefore, he felt his pieces needed no explanation and were purely meant to be enjoyed by the observer. This rings true by his transition from representational painting to abstract works in the 1940s. The public knows Still for his jagged lines and expressive brushstrokes. Still used such tactics as the palate knife technique, an approach where the artist uses a sharp knife to scrap off excess paint. This ensures that the piece looks two dimensional in nature rather than appearing realistic.
Clyfford Still captures the picturesque views of a sunrise atop Mount Spokane. The jagged lines and mixture of snowy whites and the dark hues of the mountains are meant to encapsulate the views Still saw daily during his childhood in Spokane, Washington. The various colors that make up the mountain, illustrate the various shades seen in mountain itself. Though Still spoke little about how to interpret his art, he did mention showcases the void in his other works such as No. 2, also known as Red Flash on a Black Field. It can be viewed that Still captured the feeling of being lost in the metaphorical void in the navy and black mixtures in the foreground of the painting. Still's expressive brush strokes and tranquil colors help to illustrate the fond memories he had living in Washington state.The views along side a mountain during sunrise are nothing short of awe inspiring and are a true representation of the ingenious works of Clyfford Still.
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