White Curve 1974

Ellsworth Kelly made this pristine, fan-like construction by layering painted canvas. I imagine him, in his studio, carefully shaping each layer with attention and precision. I’m thinking about how the subtle gradations and shadows cast by the curved upper edge create an illusion of depth. It's an intriguing dance between the flat surface of the painting and the suggestion of three-dimensionality. The whiteness of the work is not just a color but a field of light. It's like Kelly's asking us to look closely at how light shapes our perceptions, and that's what all us painters are trying to do. Kelly was deeply influenced by the natural world and architecture. He isolates forms from their contexts, turning everyday shapes into bold abstract statements. It’s all about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.