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Visiting the Abstract Expression Collection at SFMOMA

  • Writer: Andrea Apicella
    Andrea Apicella
  • Jun 16, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Sep 30, 2024

A Personal Exploration of Works by Clyfford Still, Mark Rothko, and Adolph Gottlieb


Visiting a museum is always a fascinating experience. Even more so when it’s the SFMOMA, a convergence point for modern art in the San Francisco Bay Area. For me, this encounter was truly unique.

Walking through the hallowed halls of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, I found myself enveloped by the profound and evocative world of Abstract Expressionism. This museum, a precious gem of modern art, boasts an extraordinary collection featuring the masterpieces of Clyfford Still, Mark Rothko, and Adolph Gottlieb. As I stood before these monumental works, I couldn't help but feel an intense connection to the raw emotion and innovation that defined this movement of crucial importance in art history.


n the presence of Still's abstract forms, I find myself contemplating not just the artwork, but my own reactions to it. The lack of clear narrative or recognizable subjects forces me to engage more deeply, to search for meaning in the emotions it evokes. For my part, this process of interaction and introspection is what makes the experience of viewing art so exciting. In essence, it is the very incomprehensibility of these works that makes them so profoundly engaging. They reflect the complexity of our own inner worlds, mirroring the thoughts and feelings that often elude clear understanding.
"PH-920", (1974) and "PH-973", (1959) by Clyfford Still

Greenberg championed the idea that modernist painting should strive for a purity of medium, where the artwork is self-referential and basically focused on the inherent qualities of the materials used. PH-585 exemplifies this principle through Still's use of color and texture. The painting's bold, unmodulated patches of color draw attention to the paint itself, rather than to any representational content. The rough, tactile surface created by Still's vigorous application of paint further emphasizes the physicality of the medium, aligning with Greenberg's vision of purity in art.
Clyfford Still, PH-585 (1952-A), 1952

Clyfford Still: interactions of Color and Form at SFMOMA visiting the Abstract Expression Collection at SFMOMA

As I said, visiting the entire museum and in particular, the Abstract Expression Collection at SFMOMA, is an unforgettable visual experience. As regards Clyfford Still, encountering his paintings, I was immediately struck by the visceral energy emanating from his canvases. Clyfford Still (and Barnett Newman) have been pure inspiration for me, nurturing my love for color fields and symbolizing the essence of American art.

Still's works are a testament to his radical departure from traditional representation, characterized by jagged forms and stark contrasts of color. The sheer scale and intensity of his paintings command attention, urging the viewer to delve into the depths of human emotion and experience. Visiting the vast hall of the abstract expressionists and observing these pieces, I felt as though I was witnessing a symphony of color and form, each stroke resonating with an unspoken narrative of struggle and triumph; the feeling of awe was overwhelming, as if each painting was a portal to an entirely new dimension.

As I absorb the energy of the painting, I am struck by how Still's art invites me into a dialogue, urging me to confront my own emotions and perceptions.


Clyfford Still moves me more profoundly and makes me feel a part of his sublime, arcane, and mysterious world. Art is mysterious because it taps into our most hidden thoughts. The art that attracts us the most is often the art we cannot fully understand. It fascinates us because the mystery endures. Art’s ability to evoke such deep emotions and thoughts lies in its enigmatic nature. It operates beyond the rdimension of the realistic, engaging with the subconscious and the intuitive. For me, Still’s paintings are a journey into the unknown, each piece a map of uncharted territories within the human experience.
Some Clyfford Still's paintings

The Mystical Depths of Mark Rothko at SFMOMA


Moving on, I find myself in front of Mark Rothko's works, their luminous color fields creating a serene yet profound atmosphere. Rothko’s paintings, with their soft, blurred edges and layered hues, seem to pulsate with an inner light. Standing close, I am enveloped by the vast expanses of color – deep maroons, serene blues, and vibrant oranges. Rothko intended his paintings to be immersive experiences, spaces for contemplation and introspection. As I stand there, I feel a profound sense of calm and introspection. It’s as if Rothko’s canvases are portals to a meditative state, where the boundaries between the self and the artwork dissolve.


Standing before "Crimson Spinning, 1959" by Adolph Gottlieb at SFMOMA, I am enveloped in a unique lyrical experience. The vibrant hues and dynamic composition seem to dance before my eyes, evoking a sense of energy and movement that is both exhilarating and mesmerizing. Gottlieb's bold use of color and form creates a visual symphony that resonates deeply within me, stirring my emotions and igniting my imagination. As I immerse myself in the painting's swirling depths, I am transported to a realm of pure expression, where words fade away and only the language of art remains. In this moment of transcendence, I am reminded of the power of creativity to transcend boundaries and unite us in a shared experience of beauty and wonder. I would add that it's very fascinating how this sentiment resonates with Gottlieb's thinking and my appreciation for "Crimson Spinning. Indeed, there's a certain enchantment to artworks that defy easy interpretation, drawing us in with their enigmatic quality and leaving us pondering their meaning long after we've left the gallery. It's in that space of uncertainty and mystery that our imaginations are sparked, allowing us to engage with the artwork on a deeper, more personal level. Just as Gottlieb found himself drawn to works that eluded comprehension, so too do you find yourself captivated by the ineffable beauty and complexity of "Crimson Spinning." In embracing the unknown, we open ourselves up to new possibilities of understanding and appreciation, enriching our experience of art and the world around us.
Adolph Gottlieb, Crimson Spinning, 1959


The Symbolic Worlds of Adolph Gottlieb


Finally, I turn my attention to Adolph Gottlieb's Crimsom Spinning. His Pictographs, with their enigmatic symbols and primal forms, challenge me to delve into the depths of the subconscious. Gottlieb's use of symbols, such as suns, eyes, and primordial shapes, evokes a sense of ancient myth and collective memory. Gottlieb’s Pictographs at SFMOMA captivate me with their enigmatic symbols and mythological resonance. The mixture of chaos and order in his paintings reflects his belief in the power of archetypal imagery. As I stand before his canvases, I am drawn into a world where each symbol and mark invites multiple interpretations, compelling me to explore the narratives within my own psyche.


In the solemn silence of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), I find myself (and many art lovers) standing before a piece that immediately captures my attention: "No. 24 (Brown, Black and Blue), 1958" by Mark Rothko. The american painting's imposing dimensions, its majestic visual impact, draw me in irresistibly. As I approach slowly, I realize that this is not just a work of art to observe, but an experience to be lived. The shades of brown, black, and blue blend harmoniously on the canvas, creating depth and mystery. I feel as though I am immersed in a world of subtle, nuanced emotions, where each color tells a different story. Drawing even closer, I let the painting envelop me entirely. I close my eyes for a moment, allowing Rothko's sensations to penetrate my soul. In that moment, I feel a deep connection with the artist, with his desire to explore the sublime through color and form. In the halls of the SFMOMA, each work of art becomes an open window to the human soul. Through Rothko's paintings and those of other masters of modern art, I embark on an emotional and spiritual journey, exploring the depths of human existence and the vastness of the creative universe.
Art lovers contemplating Rothko's No. 24 (Brown, Black and Blue), 1958

The truly amazing SFMOMA


My unforgettable journey through SFMOMA is not just a tour of a worldwide art museum; it is an exploration of the very essence of San Francisco's culturaI heartbeat.

As I leave the Abstract Expressionist section of the museum, I feel as though I have journeyed through a landscape of human emotion and thought. The works of Still, Rothko, and Gottlieb have not only engaged my senses but have also stirred something deep within me going beyond the senses. I am struck by the profound emotional and intellectual mosaic their works provoke. Each artwork, with its unique language of color, form, and symbol, has offered a new perspective on the complexities of the human experience.


The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and the city of San Francisco share a symbiotic relationship, each enriching the other in intense and meaningful ways.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and the city of San Francisco share a very symbiotic relationship, each complementing the other in intense and significant ways.



 
 
 

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I AM INNOVATOR, A CREATIVE MIND, AND ORIGINATOR OF NEW PERSPECTIVES.
© 2025 BY ANDREA APICELLA • ART CONSULTING AND BEYOND.

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