Abstract painter Kenneth Noland dies
Kenneth Noland, an abstract painter prone to vivid colors and geometric shapes, died Tuesday of cancer at his home in Maine. He was 85.
Noland, born in April of 1924 in North Carolina, was first inspired to begin painting upon seeing a number of Monet paintings at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. He was 14 years-old at the time.
At 18, Noland was drafted into the Army to fight in WWII with the Air Corps. Upon returning from the war, he enrolled at Black Mountain College where his artistic leanings began to take shape. Heavily influenced by the works of Josef Albers and Ilya Bolotowsky, Noland emerged at the tail-end of the Abstract Expressionism era, accelerating into what is known as Color Field painting.
If there is one thing Noland has done for art, it is surely his brilliant use of color. Art critics and historians will agree that Noland’s treatment of color within his works was both influential and unique. While his treatment of shapes and lines evolved throughout the duration of his career, his taste and awareness of color remained true.
For examples of, and insight into, Noland’s work, reference the following link:
Kenneth Noland: Master of Color Abstraction by Terry Fenton
Noland is survived by his third wife, Paige Rense, a brother, two sons, two daughters, and a grandchild.
[photo: Terry Fenton]
Tags: abstract expressionism, cancer, color field painting, Kenneth Noland, painter
January 10th, 2010 at 2:47 am
My Dear Ken, when I first met you at age fifteen , you immediately treated me like a fellow artist. I cannot begin to tll you what a wonderful moment that was for an aspiring young painter.One I will never forget, til the day I die. Over the years we shared many good and bad times, with friends , dinners, openings, and your painting was always a joy to behold. Little did I know, even before I met you, and I was trying to imitate your style, what a profound affect you would have on my life in so many ways!! You will always remain,to my eyes amongst the top artists, the alltime best of American art, and of the world. It was a pleasure to have known you. My condolences to Bill, Cady, Lynn , Sam and Paige.