Born in Newburgh, New York, Kelly studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill to study at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and later in Paris, where he was influenced by European modernists such as Matisse, Arp, and Mondrian.
Kelly’s work is characterized by bold, simplified forms, vibrant color fields, and a focus on shape and spatial relationships. He often drew inspiration from nature, architecture, and everyday visual experiences, abstracting these influences into pure, geometric compositions. Though associated with movements such as Minimalism and Color Field painting, Kelly remained independent in style and intent, emphasizing perception and presence over theory.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Kelly earned widespread acclaim, and his work is held in major collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, and the Tate. He continued creating art well into his 90s, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly shaped the visual language of postwar American art.
