The exhibition Still in Sound at the Clyfford Still Museum invites visitors to explore abstract visual language through auditory experiences in its expansive galleries. Co-curators Bailey Placzek, the museum’s curator of collections, and Ben Coleman, a British multidisciplinary artist, collaborated with contemporary sound artists for this unique showcase.
Artists Maria Chávez, Maya Dunietz, Kalyn Heffernan, Matana Roberts, and Michael Schumacher participated in brief residencies, where each selected an abstract painting by Still and crafted an original sound piece in response. These sound compositions set the ambiance for the galleries, with Placzek curating complementary artworks. Coleman arranged the sound pieces to play randomly, crafting a nonlinear experience that visitors can explore through a digital guide featuring full recordings.
“There is no set path, no beginning or end, and every visit will be different,” notes Coleman, emphasizing the individual interpretative journey offered by the guest artists. Denver-based artist Phillip David Stearns contributed an interactive component inspired by Still’s pastel drawings, enhancing the visitor experience.
Alongside Still in Sound, the museum’s chronological display of Still’s early works includes a sound tour featuring American experimental music and archival sound art. These exhibitions are set to conclude in February 2027. As part of the museum’s anniversary celebrations, the exhibition Celebrating 15 Years: 15 New Paintings in 15 Months will reveal a previously unseen painting each month through September 2027.
The Clyfford Still Museum, designed specifically to exhibit Still’s work, is located in Denver, Colorado, and holds approximately 3,125 pieces, representing 93% of the artist’s lifetime output. More information can be found at clyffordstillmuseum.org.
