Artist Quote by Ellsworth Kelly
“A lot of young painters love to incorporate celebrity. One idea of being a painter is to use what's happening at the time. Velázquez was painting of his time. And so was Rembrandt. And Francis Bacon was painting his time in London. He was a real mover, but he saw the insect in the rose. But yes, when I do a painting, I want to take the "I did this" out of it. That's why I started using chance, like the markings on the wood. I never wanted to compose.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art Talk, 1995
Kelly emphasizes spontaneity, using chance to remove personal ego from painting, aligning with modernist ideas of process over product.
In simple terms: He uses randomness to avoid personal imprint in art.
Key Takeaway
Embrace randomness to let work speak.
Themes
art
spontaneity
ego
process
modernism
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- painting
- studio practice
- exhibitions
- art education
Key Concepts
chance
materiality
artist intent
Questions to Reflect On
- How does chance affect viewer interpretation?
- Can randomness coexist with deliberate symbolism?
A Different Perspective
Randomness can limit intentional messaging.
