Ellsworth Kelly: Postcards

Ellsworth Kelly created around 400 postcard collages over 50 years, exploring creative freedom and capturing the world in his art. The exhibition "Ellsworth Kelly: Postcards" is the most comprehensive publication of his collaged postcards, showcasing his life and artistic journey.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

Renowned American artist Ellsworth Kelly created approximately 400 postcard collages throughout his illustrious career, spanning over 50 years. These collages served as both exploratory musings and studies for larger works in other mediums. They encompass a diverse range of styles, from his early monochrome works in 1949 to his final postcard collages depicting crashing ocean waves in 2005. Collectively, these artworks showcase an infinite realm of creative freedom, offering a profound insight into Kelly's artistic vision and interpretation of the world.

Many postcards in Kelly's collection depict specific places that held significance in his life, providing a biographical element and revealing intimate details that make these pieces stand out within his broader artistic oeuvre. Ellsworth Kelly: Postcards represents the most comprehensive publication dedicated to Kelly's lifelong practice of collaged postcards.

Born in Newburgh, New York, in 1923, Kelly's artistic journey began to take shape when he relocated to France in 1948. There, he immersed himself in the rich tapestry of classical and modern art, encountering influences that would shape his artistic development. In 1954, he returned to New York, where he soon secured his first exhibition at the esteemed Betty Parsons Gallery. His talent and dedication garnered recognition, leading to his first retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1973. Since then, his artworks have been showcased in numerous museums worldwide, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, Tate in London, Haus der Kunst in Munich, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Kelly's postcard collages are a testament to his unwavering commitment to experimentation and artistic exploration. They serve as a visual diary, capturing moments and experiences that resonated with him. Through the meticulous assembly of found materials and the imaginative reorganization of shapes and colors, Kelly created a unique language of abstraction that transcended traditional boundaries. His postcards offer a glimpse into his inner world, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the familiar transforms into something new.

In conclusion, Ellsworth Kelly's postcard collages are a treasure trove of artistic brilliance and cultural significance. They showcase his unwavering dedication to creativity, his ability to transform everyday objects into works of art, and his profound understanding of the human experience. Through their exploration of abstraction, biography, and the visual language of collage, these works continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

Weight: 1895g
Dimension: 288 x 223 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810096