07/21/2016
After 20 years in operation Jim Kelly has announced the closing of his gallery, James Kelly Contemporary, with a final exhibition, The Last Picture Show, opening July 29, with a reception from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Kelly will assume a position in Los Angeles with the Gagosian Gallery starting in September 2016.
Over the years the gallery has shown the work of nationally and internationally recognized artists. The gallery’s inaugural show, Made in New Mexico, presented the work of Agnes Martin, Bruce Nauman, Susan Rothenberg and Richard Tuttle, who at the time were all living in New Mexico. The exhibition program continued by presenting the works of a variety of artists including Stuart Arends, Sharon Core, Aldo Chaparro, Thomas Joshua Cooper, Helmut Dorner, James Drake, Terisita Fernandez, Fischli & Weiss, Dan Flavin, Roni Horn, Ellsworth Kelly, Sherrie Levine, Richard Long, John McCracken, Tom Miller, Ron Nagle, Nic Nicosia, Ken Price, Ed Ruscha, Victoria Sambunaris, Arlene Shechet, Peter Sarkisian, David Taylor, Franz West and Susan York just to mention a few. Kelly said, “My goal has been to create a dynamic environment in which to experience contemporary art.”
The final exhibition, The Last Picture Show, will continue this tradition by including works by artists represented by the gallery over the past 20 years. The Last Picture Show will open on July 29 and run through September 5, 2016. Please join us for reception honoring the artists on Friday, July 29 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
“I have so enjoyed my working relationships with the artists over these many years, and feel pleased that I was able to present their work professionally and to help advance their careers. All the artists have become good friends, which made the decision to close a particularly difficult one for me. It is a bittersweet situation for us all, and I am humbled to say that each and every artist has been amazingly supportive of my decision.” Kelly states.
