Ellsworth Kelly at Ferus Gallery (Hand Signed), 1966

This is an extremely rare and historic exhibition poster; even more scarce - if ever - found hand signed by Ellsworth Kelly. This is the original poster - not a later re-print - published on the occasion of the exhibition, New Work by Ellsworth Kelly at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles. It was his first solo show in L.A., comprised of four large paintings and a sculpture, the painted aluminum work entitled Gate, which is depicted here. The legendary Ferus Gallery was a contemporary art gallery which operated in Los Angeles from 1957 to 1966. The gallery was founded in 1957 by the curator Walter Hopps, the artist Edward Kienholz, and the poet Bob Alexander. In 1958, Kienholz left to concentrate on producing art, and his stake in the gallery was replaced by Irving Blum. But most important, the Ferus gallery is best known as the very first to give Andy Warhol an exhibition on the West Coast. This 1966 Ellsworth Kelly exhibition - again his first solo show - was also one of the very last shows held by this historic gallery, which shuttered in 1966. More history of the legendary Ferus gallery. posters, courtesy of Alden Projects:
"Blum, a former actor whose elocution classes left him speaking like Cary Grant, and a former employee at the New York design firm, Knoll was trained in modern design and in selling modern luxury. Hopps, a brilliant autodidact and art historian who met Duchamp as a 15-year old in California, was an early exponent of inviting artists to create exhibition posters, and a fair number did at Ferus before and after his departure. Blum directed the production of many Ferus’ posters, and maintained the Vogue-like typeface and general format of Ferus posters issued by his eponymous gallery through 1973. ..Blum issued more dazzling posters, including those by Warhol, Lichtenstein, Oldenburg, Stella, Kelly, Judd, Morris, Flavin, and Balog..."

Authenticity of the poster and the Ellsworth Kelly signature unconditionally guaranteed; gallery issued Certificate of Guarantee.