Red and White 1952

Ellsworth Kelly created "Red and White," using collage—a medium with a rich history of challenging traditional artistic forms. Kelly, who served in WWII, engaged with abstraction as a way to move beyond traditional representation, seeking a universal visual language. The grid-like structure is not just a formal choice; it echoes the fragmented and modular nature of modern life, reflecting on the geometric patterns of urban landscapes and mass-produced objects. The colors themselves—red and white—are loaded with symbolism, evoking ideas of purity, passion, and perhaps even the stark contrasts of the political landscape during the Cold War. Kelly once said, "I am not anti-rational. But I do think that reason and thinking are not primary." With this in mind, consider how "Red and White" invites an emotional response that transcends intellectual analysis. The artwork's simplicity serves as a mirror, reflecting our own experiences and feelings back at us.