Frank Stella, an American artist best known for his use of geometric patterns and shapes in creating both paintings and sculptures, dies at 87. Stella had been battling lymphoma, reported The New York Times.
Stella is one of the most influential living American artists; Stella’s works utilize the formal properties of shape, color, and composition to explore non-literary narratives, as seen in his work Harrar II (1967) from the Protractor series. “Abstraction didn’t have to be limited to a kind of rectilinear geometry or even a simple curve geometry. It could have a geometry that had a narrative impact. In other words, you could tell a story with the shapes,” he explained once.
Stella redefined painting during the 1950s and ’60s. The controlled minimalism of his works in the late 1950s and early ’60s gave way to maximalist riots of colour later in his career — with subsequent works surpassing 2D canvas to become sculptural. His approach to materials is just as revolutionary, comprising house and car paint, cast aluminium, fibreglass, and the latest 3D-printing techniques.
In the decades since, Stella’s art has grown, as he began making massive sculptures.
The Black Painting series, created between 1958-1960, marked a significant shift in Stella’s artistic journey. This series not only pioneered a new style of art but also became the first of many exhibitions that explored minimalism, establishing him as a key figure in this movement. The series is characterized by black monochromatic canvases devoid of major objects, inviting viewers to directly experience the form and colors present.
This marked a departure from abstract expressionism, known for its free-flowing gestural brushstrokes, towards a more precise and organized technique. The Black Paintings exemplify Stella’s commitment to reducing painting to its elemental components. The stark black canvases challenge viewers to reconsider their understanding of the artistic process, engaging with the interplay of form and color in a profound way.
“Eskimo Curlew” stands as a prominent piece within Frank Stella’s renowned “Protractor Series.” Created in 1967, this artwork showcases Stella’s mastery of geometric forms and vibrant colors, inviting viewers to explore the interplay of shape and space within the realm of modern art.
Throughout Frank Stella’s extensive body of work, one motif consistently emerges: the star. Abstract yet figurative, this motif serves as a distinctive focal point amidst the array of invented abstractions that define Stella’s artistic journey.
In this exhibition, the star takes center stage for the first time, offering a comprehensive survey of Stella’s exploration of this symbol. Spanning twenty-five works, the exhibition encompasses Stella’s use of the star across various mediums, from two-dimensional pieces dating back to the 1960s to its more recent manifestations in sculptures, wall reliefs, and painted objects from the 2010s.
