Curve XXIV

1981

American, 1923 - 2015

Ellsworth Kelly arrives at his work through a prolonged experience of observing nature and the distilling of observations and sensations to simple lines, planes and forms. Although its silhouette appears entirely abstract, Curve XXIV suggests a rust-hued autumn gingko leaf. The narrowest of relief sculptures, it projects and expansive space: its surface coloration and texture echo painting-a reflection of the artist's fascination with the overlap of these art forms.

3/8" weathering steel

76 x 228 x 3/8 in. (193 x 579.1 x 1 cm)

Gift of the Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2016.17.2

Provenance: [Leo Castelli Gallery, New York]; purchased from gallery by Virginia and Bagley Wright, Seattle, Washington, August 1, 1981

Photo: Paul Macapia

Now on view at the Olympic Sculture Park

“

I'm not interested in the texture of a rock, but in its shadow.

”

Ellsworth Kelly

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, 2007 - ongoing.

Published ReferencesSims, Patterson and Emily Rauh Pulitzer. Ellsworth Kelly: Sculpture. New York: Whitney Museum of American Art, 1982: cat. no. 61, pp 109.

Fairbrother, Trevor. The Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection. Seattle: Seattle Art Museum, 1999: illustrated inside front cover, 201.

Corrin, Lisa Graziose, et al. Olympic Sculpture Park. Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 2007, illus. p. 47.

Kangas, Matthew, "Sculpture", October 2007, Vol 26, No. 8.

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM