“Ellsworth Kelly”, installation view at TARO NASU, Tokyo, 22 March—10 May 2025
© Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, Courtesy of Matthew Marks Gallery and TARO NASU
Photo by Keizo Kioku
On view: Solo exhibition of Ellsworth Kelly at TARO NASU
“I think that if you can turn off the mind and look only with the eyes, ultimately everything becomes abstract.”
Ellsworth Kelly (1923–2015) is often regarded as a singular giant in American contemporary art, playing a pivotal role in shaping the development of Hard-Edge Painting and Color Field Painting. Characterized by geometric forms and strikingly vivid colors, Kelly’s work was a lifelong pursuit of abstracting the natural world—deconstructing objects into pure color and form.
During World War II, Kelly was assigned to a special unit known as the “Ghost Army,” where he contributed to the design and fabrication of camouflage for military vehicles, airfields, and encampments, as well as acoustic deception tactics used against German forces. After the war, he spent several years in France, drawing inspiration from Jean Arp’s embrace of chance in artistic creation and Henri Matisse’s refined, reductive lines.
This exhibition presents 17 works, including paintings from the 1960s, alongside collages, drawings, and photographs, offering a multifaceted exploration of Kelly’s artistic vision.
Now on view until Saturday, May 10, 2025
TARO NASU
Piramide Bldg. 4F, 6-6-9 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Open: 11:00 – 19:00
Closed: Sun, Mon, and public holidays
Admission: Free
For more details about the exhibit, visit the TARO NASU website.
