Unearthing a Masterpiece: NEH Fuels Buffalo AKG's Groundbreaking Clyfford Still Exhibition

Buffalo, NY
A monumental artistic endeavor is set to unfold at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, thanks to a significant boost from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The museum has proudly announced the receipt of a $300,000 NEH grant, designated for the development of "Clyfford Still: A Transatlantic Legacy"
a groundbreaking exhibition and its accompanying scholarly catalogue.

This vital funding will empower in-depth research, crucial conservation efforts, and the meticulous planning required to bring this landmark presentation to fruition.

Slated to open its doors in the fall of 2024, "Clyfford Still: A Transatlantic Legacy" promises an unprecedented exploration into the pivotal artistic journey of Clyfford Still (American, 1904
1980).

The exhibition, born from a dynamic partnership between the Buffalo AKG and the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, will first captivate audiences in Buffalo before traveling to Denver. It aims to illuminate the profound transformation of Still's art, tracing his evolution from representational forms to the raw, monumental abstract canvases that defined his legacy, particularly focusing on works created during his formative years in Buffalo and New York.

The Buffalo AKG holds a unique and historically significant collection of Still’s works, largely due to the artist’s own generosity.

In 1964, Still made an extraordinary donation of 31 paintings to the then
Albright-Knox Art Gallery, making it the first public institution to house a dedicated collection of his abstract masterpieces. This foundational gift has allowed the AKG to become a crucial site for understanding Still's contribution to Abstract Expressionism and modern art.

Dr.

Cathleen Chaffee, the Charles Balbach Chief Curator at the Buffalo AKG, expressed immense gratitude for the NEH’s support. "We are incredibly grateful to the National Endowment for the Humanities for this substantial award," she stated. "This grant will directly facilitate the meticulous research and conservation necessary for a truly transformative exhibition.

It allows us to delve deeper into Still's unique position in American art history, examining his profound impact on the development of abstract painting and his intriguing relationship with European modernism."

Adam Weinberg, Acting Chair of the NEH, underscored the significance of the grant program.

"The National Endowment for the Humanities is proud to support the creation of new knowledge and to help preserve and make accessible our shared cultural heritage," he remarked. "This grant to the Buffalo AKG Art Museum embodies that mission, fostering scholarly excellence and enriching public understanding of a crucial period in American art."

The collaboration extends to the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, which stands as the exclusive repository for the vast majority of Still's artistic output.

Dean Sobel, Director of the Clyfford Still Museum, shared his enthusiasm for the joint venture. "We are thrilled to partner with the Buffalo AKG Art Museum on this important project, which builds upon the long-standing relationship between our two institutions," Sobel commented. "This exhibition offers an invaluable opportunity for scholars and the public alike to gain fresh insights into Still’s formative years and his transatlantic influences, especially given the AKG’s exceptional collection."

This exhibition represents more than just a display of art; it's a deep dive into the intellectual and creative currents that shaped one of America’s most enigmatic and influential artists.

Through careful scholarship and stunning presentation, "Clyfford Still: A Transatlantic Legacy" promises to be a landmark event, further solidifying the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s role as a vital center for art historical discovery and public engagement.