Force and Image: The Story of the Paintings of Clifford Rollins

Abstract

This article considers images derived from the collective unconscious. It tells the story of a lifetime’s journey, which brought Russell B. Huff, an art teacher, into contact with Clifford Rollins, a man who had been institutionalized since childhood. Initially, it was the dynamic power of Clifford’s work that interested Huff, but over time he began to suspect the symbolism in Clifford’s paintings pointed to something much deeper. Photographs of some of the paintings were sent to Edward Edinger, who confirmed the collective unconscious as the source of this striking imagery. Following this contact, Huff began an extended period of study and reflection in his efforts to better understand Clifford’s work. He also organized public showings of the paintings, which Clifford attended. Their story is conveyed by Mr. Huff’s oldest son, Russell C. Huff, who relied on material contained in his father’s notebooks to tell their story.