Yellow Orange 1968

Ellsworth Kelly's *Yellow Orange* is a painting of hard-edged forms in flat, vibrant colours. There's something so direct and unapologetic about the way Kelly applies colour; it’s not about blending or shading, but about creating distinct zones of pure hue, like a process of zoning in on the thing itself. Looking closely, you notice the subtle texture of the paint, maybe a slight sheen that catches the light, revealing the hand of the artist. The orange bleeds, like the colour is alive, pushing against its boundaries. It makes me think of Josef Albers, another colour obsessive, but Kelly strips away even more, getting to the bare bones of shape and colour interaction. In a way, it’s almost like a child’s building blocks, simple forms arranged to create something visually complex and engaging. And even though it’s super reduced, there’s still a ton of room for your own interpretation; does it evoke a feeling of warmth? Optimism? The possibilities are endless.