5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT FRANK STELLA
We want to tribute the incredible artist Frank Stella, who passed away recently, by sharing 5 things you didn’t know about Frank Stella.
1. The power behind the titles
Stella’s artworks are visually arresting and laden with profound symbolism in their titles, like in his Black Paintings series.
In Die Fahne Hoch! (which translates to “Hoist the Flag”) is the opening line to Horst Wessel Lied, the Nazi party anthem. The painting also alludes to Jasper John’s work, Flag, which seeks to overturn bourgeois sensibilities and answer society’s more complex questions about humanity. The artist described his paintings as “dark, very dark”; therefore, “some needed dark titles.”
Frank Stella
Die Fahne Hoch!, Black Serie I, 1959
Enamel on canvas
121.4 x 72.9 in
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City, NY, US
2. Canvas revolutionized
Driven by a relentless pursuit of artistic harmony, Stella reshaped the canvas itself in the 1960s, defying convention and ushering in a new era of expression. Over the next decade, the artist introduced relief into his art, describing his approach as a ‘maximalist’ painting because of its sculptural qualities.
Frank Stella
Shoubeegi, 1978
Enamel, metal, glitter
95 3/4 × 130 in
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), San Francisco, CA, US
3. Precision in Imperfection
Given the seemingly precise geometric proportions of her unique “stripe paintings,” Stella does not measure these lines but draws them freehand. Over the years, many critics have assumed that Stella used masking tape to create his signature look, but in reality, it is the subtle imperfections that bring his works to life.
Frank Stella
Tahkt-I-Sulayman Variation II, 1969
Acrylic on canvas
120 x 240 in
Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN, US
4. Master of Printmaking
Stella didn’t stop at revolutionizing canvas art; he also mastered printmaking. Teaming up with master printmaker Kenneth Tyler, Stella unleashed his creativity through prints, employing techniques like screenprinting, etching, and lithography. His prints stand as a testament to his inventive spirit and artistic versatility.
Frank Stella
Storil Five II, 1981
Four color etching, relief print on dyed multicolor paper
66 x 51⅜ x 2 in
5. The Stellar Star
In Frank Stella’s works, one motif continuously makes an appearance: the star. Interestingly, his last name means star in Italian, adding a layer of intrigue to his art. While he initially shied away from star-shaped artworks, fearing they’d overshadow his diverse talent, he eventually embraced this motif, allowing it to become a significant thread in his artistic narrative. From two-dimensional minimal works to cutting-edge 3-D sculptures, his star-shaped creations continue to captivate, showcasing the breadth of his extraordinary career.
Frank Stella
Black Star, 2014
Carbon fiber
224 3/8 x 224 3/8 x 224 3/8 in
Frank Stella: A Retrospective, Whitney Museum of American Art.
Photo Credit: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/arts/design/tracking-frank-stellas-restless-migrations-from-painting-and-beyond.html
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