Artist Ellsworth Kelly dies at 92
Famed artist Ellsworth Kelly, known for his use of bright colors and bold shapes, died at his home in Spencertown, New York, on Sunday. He was 92.
Kelly was a painter, sculptor, and printmaker whose work is found in contemporary art museums around the world. During World War II, he served in a special unit of the U.S. Army, primarily comprised of artists, that built fake tanks and trucks out of wood, burlap, and rubber in order to trick the Germans into thinking there were more allied troops in France than there actually were.
Following the war, Kelly lived in Paris and took photos that became the basis for his minimalist paintings. He said that his love of color came from his childhood in New Jersey, where he enjoyed nature and birdwatching. In 2013, he told NPR he liked "color in its strongest sense. I don't like mixed colors that much, like plum color or deep, deep colors that are hard to define. I liked red, yellow, blue, black, and white — [that] was what I started with." Kelly is survived by his longtime partner, Jack Shear.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
'Most see a guilty verdict for Trump'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
British Armed Forces personnel details 'hacked by China'
Speed Read The Ministry of Defence became aware of the breach 'several days ago'
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Best beach cafes around the UK
The Week Recommends Enjoy freshly cooked food within sight of the sea – whatever the weather
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published