Ellsworth Kelly

Wiesbaden

Ellsworth Kelly’s works demonstrate unassuming techniques emphasizing the simplicity of form found similar to the work of John McLaughlin and Kenneth Noland.

Kelly’s background in the military has been suggested as a source of the seriousness of his works. While serving time in the army, Kelly was exposed to and influenced by the camouflage with which his specific battalion worked. This close contact helped enlighten him on the use of form and shadow as well as the construction and deconstruction of the visible. It was a basic part of Kelly’s early education as an artist. Ralph Coburn, a friend of Kelly’s from Boston, introduced the technique of automatic drawing to him while he was visiting Kelly in Paris. Kelly embraced this technique of arriving at an image without looking at the sheet of paper upon which the image is drawn. These techniques helped Kelly in loosening his particular drawing style and broaden his acceptance of what he believed to be art. Kelly’s illness and coexistent depression may possibly be related to his use of black and white during his last year in Paris.

Museum Wiesbaden

March 2nd – June 24th, 2012
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 2
65185 Wiesbaden
Germany

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