Leon Kelly: Beyond Surrealism

The American artist Leon Kelly (1901–1982) is known for his surrealist work. However, his career, which spanned fifty years, was also influenced by cubism, abstraction and social realism. With handsome full-page reproductions, this volume provides a new look at the extensive oeuvre of a fascinating artist with an innately reclusive nature.

Solitary by nature, Leon Kelly lived and worked on his paintings and drawings in seclusion. This enabled him to create a fascinating oeuvre without the influences and restrictions of contemporary fashions. Today, his works can be found in the collections of renowned American museums such as the Metropolitan Museum, the Whitney Museum, MoMA, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The largest European collection is owned by Mr and Mrs Plewig: it covers all phases and styles and is made accessible in this opulently illustrated volume. The collectors give a personal and sensitive account of their encounters with the artist, and the art expert Uwe Jourdan analyses Leon Kelly’s style and working methods.

About the Author

Gerd and his wife Helga Plewig are German art collectors. They own one of the largest collections of works by Leon Kelly in the world and were long-time friends of the artist. Their collection is also renowned for the most exquisite bark painting collection outside of Australia. Inspired by Country. Bark Paintings from Northern Australia, also published by Hirmer, brings together and reproduces these works.

Uwe Jourdan is a German art expert and former CEO of Nagel auction house.