Here’s my final installment of the art I saw in Denver last month.
Here I am standing outside the Clyfford Still Museum. I didn’t know much about Still, and the museum displays not only his artwork, but Still’s archives of his letters, sketchbooks, personal items, and more. Apparently Still, an abstract expressionist, “has been credited with laying the groundwork for the movement, as his shift from representational to abstract painting occurred between 1938 and 1942, earlier than his colleagues like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, who continued to paint in figurative-surrealist styles well into the 1940s.” (from Wikipedia) Also of note, Still was a man with the right idea – rather than titling his work with words, he devised an alphanumeric system to label his pieces. He thought viewers should bring their own meaning and interpretation to his work. I agree. I recommend visiting this museum when you’re in Denver!
I also visited the Denver Art Museum, where I could spend an entire week viewing their vast exhibits and collections. The building itself is an amazing piece of architecture. I was lucky enough to be in Denver for the Women of Abstract Expressionism exhibit. I must admit, I got just a little teary right as I walked through the doors into this exhibit, thinking about all the fantastic female artists whose work was displayed in one room and what their lives might have been like! I was overwhelmed:)
This piece, one of my favorites, is “Imrie,” by Mary Abbott, painted in 1953. It’s just one of the awesome and amazing and yummy paintings I viewed. The museum sells a book for the exhibit, and I plan to order one for myself soon. There were plenty of female artists I knew about, plus several who were new to me. I feel very fortunate to have viewed these works.
This is a piece from an exhibit called “Printed and Painted – The Art of Bark Cloth.” It’s by Vivian Gegewo, painted in 2004. This exhibit had many beautiful colors and pattern and textures.
This is a kayak from their permanent American Indian Art collection. I was drawn to the colors and shapes the kayak builder used to piece together the kayak.
I could go on and on about the many collections and individual pieces I feasted my eyes on, but instead, I urge you to visit the Denver Art Museum‘s website to see what they have – so much goodness! And when you visit Denver, set aside at least an entire day to spend at this museum. Or a whole week;)
This lovely lady stands a mile high in the mile-high city. You can find her at City Park in Denver. I rode my bike around her a few times, then stopped to chat. Sculpted by Lorado Zadoc Taft in 1918, she’s a “5½ meter tall bronze statue of a robed woman holding the sword of state and shield of Colorado, representing the state of Colorado.” Standing on a granite base, with three sides bronze figures below representing the virtues of the state of Colorado: Loyalty, Learning, and Love. Three virtues that I’d like to apply to myself, thankyouverymuch!
Rachel Imsland, Artist 