Clyfford Still (November 30, 1904 – June 23, 1980) was an American non-mainstream “Abstract Expressionist” painter of great repute. ‘Abstract Expressionism’ was an American art movement, developed after World War II. The very versatile Clyfford Still always tried different representations, ‘expressing’ the themes of existence, death, struggle and creation, which were more of a reality bite of nature. His painting style was different and unique, assembling a wide range of colors in different and irregular patterns. In effect, all the layers of paint would look uneven. “1957-D No. 1” was Clyfford Still’s most phenomenal work.
Created in 1957, “1957-D No. 1″ is an oil on canvas work, sized 113″ X 159”. In this painting, Clyfford used black and yellow colors with white flecks, with very little red. These four colors have been used as a base, finished off with many variations of different colors, mostly deep blue and purple, over them. Thick, textural paints have been laid in various vertical and uneven layers of colours, imparting ‘Abstraction’ to it. Although, he still tried various palettes well, however, in general, he used dark tones in his paintings. Clyfford’s most famous painting, “1957-D No. 1”, promises his ‘dark’ bent, with distinctive use of black with ‘not-so-deep’ yellow.
Although art is supposed to be bias minus freedom of expression, however, ‘bias-free’ is a proposition that often fails. An artist can paint freely, but the spectators develop a vision about the work. Also, with a variety of viewers having different beliefs, their perceptions about a work of art also differ. Still’s “1957-D No. 1” had to go through the same test of fate, where different viewers formed varying opinions about it, depending on their understanding. Critics annoyed Clyfford for his relentless search for meaning in the painting. Being a true artist, Still believes that all of his works are inspired by personal experience and far from interpretations. Viewers should simply admire a work of art, if they can. The works should definitely not be scrutinized to recover something that the artists do not intend to bring to the surface. Each work is personal to an artist and deserves a respectable treatment to the worthy silence of him. Still said, “Each painting is an episode in a personal story, an entry in a diary, and my work as a whole is like a symphony in which each painting has its part.”
Regardless of critics’ opinion, Clyfford Still has always been phenomenal. With his death, unique and different styles of ‘Abstract Expressionism’ received a tooth. With his paintings, including “1957-D No. 1” still vouching for his competition, Clyfford Still will always be a powerful inspiration to the ‘Abstract Expressionists’.
