Monumental Inflatables
Cheerful and Cheeky Sculptures
Yellow Dome, Ken Kelleher
See
Through sculptural investigation, Ken Kelleher has developed an accumulative process of form-making. Beginning with basic, elemental shapes, Kelleher uses techniques of inflating, duplicating, and nesting to develop compositions that seem soft and bloated, and often tenuous. (designboom)
Say
Kelleher’s message is directed especially towards artists and creators, even if it is universal. “My message is that you don’t have to be stuck doing the same thing over and over, and you don’t have to be classified in any particular way as an artist. Instead, let what you are imagining guide you, and allow yourself to be inspired each time you sit down to work”.
(Casbia)
Do you think artists need a single medium/style to be respected?
Many of Kelleher’s art pieces use fun bright colors and themes. Do you think that art can be silly and fun?
Which sculpture above works the best as an inflatable, in your opinion? Why?
Do
Check out these other artists who either create inflatables or are inspired by them…
Beautifully simple and polished to the max, the minimalist yet fascinating monochromatic artwork by Tadao Cern evokes the feeling of childlike curiosity while simultaneously evoking the emotions of panic, excitement, humility, and admiration.
Balloon Dog (Yellow) by Jeff Koons is based on balloons twisted into the shape of a toy dog. Standing more than ten feet tall, its highly reflective and brightly colored surface gives the appearance of an actual balloon in a form that would delight a child but would also fascinate any student of Freud.
Rubber Duck is a series of several giant floating sculptures of yellow rubber ducks, designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, which have appeared in many cities around the world. Each Rubber Duck is recreated anew locally, as his public art is intended to be temporary.
Make a balloon DOG
Watch this person dance in an inflatable suit. (Cracks me up every time!)
About Ken Kelleher
Kelleher is a digital artist and sculptor based in Rehoboth, New Hampshire.
He studied art at Alfred University under sculptors Glenn Zweygardt and William Parry. After college, he worked at Hudson Studio, Fine Art Foundry in Niverville, NY, where he did finishing work on cast bronze pieces by William Tucker and Anthony Caro, as well as other artists. Hudson Studio was in a shared space at the time with sculptor Jon Isherwood and is in close proximity to Triangle Workshop. Before becoming a Creative Director in Advertising, he produced several series of large abstract sculptures, some of which were sold into private collections. Now, twenty years later, Ken has returned to having a full-time studio practice. He lives and works with his wife of 25 years at Rehoboth in NH.
Ken Kelleher has pieces installed in Buffalo and Alfred, NY, Doha, Qatar, and China, and one is in production for Indonesia. Small pieces will be available soon through J Steven Manolis Gallery in Miami, as well as large commissions for private estates and public spaces.
anchorball on insta
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