Red and Yellow 1951

Ellsworth Kelly made this painting, called Red and Yellow, with what looks like a simple gesture: two blocks of colour, one on top of the other. I wonder, what was Kelly thinking when he made this? Was he trying to strip painting down to its bare essentials, like some kind of minimalist monk? The red sits boldly on top, a kind of declaration. Underneath, the yellow is paler and glows, giving the red a sense of depth. You can see the hand in this, even if the forms are simple. The texture of the paint, the slight variations in tone – that's where the magic happens. I’m also thinking about the quiet conversation between artists across time, like a secret language. It's a reminder that painting is an ongoing conversation and an invitation to think, feel, and see in new ways. There’s always more to discover.