Ellsworth Kelly
Ellsworth Kelly
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Ellsworth Kelly was born Ellsworth Monroe Kelly Jr. on May 31, 1923, in Somerset, New Jersey.
Birth and Death Dates
Kelly passed away on December 27, 2015, at the age of 92.
Nationality and Profession(s)
He was an American painter and sculptor, often credited with pioneering a style that blended elements of abstraction and representation.
Early Life and Background
#### Childhood in Pennsylvania
Ellsworth Kelly spent his early years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family relocated to the rural town of Bridgeton, New Jersey, after his father's passing when he was eight years old.
Kelly began drawing at an early age and developed a strong interest in art. He later attended the South Philadelphia High School for Boys before dropping out in his senior year to pursue a career in painting.
Major Accomplishments
Ellsworth Kelly is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His distinctive style blended abstract shapes with bold colors, often incorporating architectural elements into his work.
Kelly's breakthrough came in the early 1950s when he began producing paintings that combined geometric forms and vibrant hues. This innovative approach caught the attention of prominent art critics and collectors, helping establish Kelly as a leading figure in the modern art movement.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Ellsworth Kelly's most notable works include:
Red Blue Green (1963): A large-scale painting featuring three horizontal rectangles in red, blue, and green.
Eagle (1970): A sculpture depicting an eagle perched atop a tall pedestal, symbolizing American patriotism.
* Sculpture for a Large Wall (Green) (2002): A massive wall-mounted sculpture made from over 1,000 individual aluminum panels.
Kelly's work often explored themes of abstraction, representation, and the relationship between art and architecture.
Impact and Legacy
Throughout his career, Kelly collaborated with renowned architects, including Richard Meier and I.M. Pei, to create site-specific installations that integrated his artistic vision with architectural principles.
His innovative approach has inspired generations of artists, designers, and architects. Kelly's work continues to be celebrated in museums and galleries around the world.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ellsworth Kelly's influence extends far beyond the art world. His pioneering style and commitment to pushing boundaries have made him a beloved figure among those who value creativity and innovation.
Kelly's legacy serves as a testament to the power of artistic expression in shaping our understanding of the world around us.
Quotes by Ellsworth Kelly
My drawings have to be quick. If they don’t happen in 20 minutes or a half hour, then they’re no good.
My forms are geometric, but they don’t interact in a geometric sense. They’re just forms that exist everywhere, even if you don’t see them.
Shading is more like copying. And certainly I do copy, but I’m making drawings, and I’m not trying to make them with the shading.
I’m not interested in edges. I’m interested in the mass and color, the black and white. The edges happen because the forms get as quiet as they can be. I want the masses to perform. When I work with forms and colors, I get the edge...
The most pleasurable thing in the world, for me, is to see something and then translate how I see it.