Ellsworth Kelly Photographs in Chelsea

The minimalist painter, printer, sculptor Ellsworth Kelly died in December leaving behind a prolific body of  innovative works. Kelly is associated with a new style of minimalist painting (1940's) inspired from nature & serendipitous compositions.  Kelly was not particularily noted for his photographs & this seems an oversight having seen his black/white gelatin prints at the Matthew Marks gallery in Chelsea. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of composition & intent with these photos taken between 1950-1982.  Obviously, photography played a prominent role in his work as a tool, a source of inspiration & as a record of visions that piqued his interest.  The arresting photos of barns, shadows and stark landscapes look to be the works of a gifted, dedicated photographer.  I would have liked to take home any number of the prints.  In particular, I was struck by the simple but haunting photo of barren tree limbs.  (How would you like it if someone picked an apple off of you?)  And, I was taken by the geometric shapes and black/white shadowing in the photos of architectural forms, open doorways & mere shadows.  Kelly photos demonstrate an artistic eye for composition & the construct of shapes.   "Photography is for me a way of seeing things from another angle."  Seeing Kelly's engaging photos lends another aspect to Kelly's oeuvre that is worth seeing both as a curiosity and as an artform.