Why the Art of Ellsworth Kelly Inspires Me

​Today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of Ellsworth Kelly, a contemporary master of art who "shaped geometries on a bold scale" (NY Times 12/27/2015).  Ever since an Ellsworth piece made its way into our design work, I have been enthralled by the clean lines, pure color and power of his work.

"Blue Curve" by Ellsworth Kelly. Interior design by Lisa Tharp. Photo by Kyle J. Caldwell.

Ellsworth Kelly exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum

I would have loved to see the Guggenheim exhibit in person.

Ellsworth Kelly, Broad Street studio, New York, 1956. Photo credit: © Onni Saari

“I think what we all want from art is a sense of fixity, a sense of opposing the chaos of daily living... This is an illusion, of course. ​ What I’ve tried to capture is the reality of flux, to keep art an open, incomplete situation, ​to get at the rapture of seeing.”⠀

​- Ellsworth Kelly

Mr. Kelly’s “Blue Green Yellow Orange Red” (1968) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

In my mind, the following interiors are far more beautiful ​because of the power and grace of Kelly's art.

Enjoy.

Ellsworth Kelly lithograph. Living room design by Thad Hayes. Photo Scott Frances for Architectural Digest.

Restauranteur Ali Cayne's Manhattan apartment, featuring a print by Ellsworth Kelly. Photo credit: unknown

Yellow Ellsworth Kelly print, interior by Miles Redd, photo by Lucas Allen