Fit to Structure

Sign In | Create a Free Account

Home > Featured Galleries > Fit to Structure

It was 1993 and Nevin Kelly was in Poland, on business. He took a walk through the Old Town in Warsaw and happened upon a flash of color amidst the gray surroundings. Here's how he describes it: "From this monotonously gray corridor, a surprisingly bright and colorful row of windows shone across the street from the Polish presidential mansion. They were the display windows of the "Galeria Art," the exhibition center for the Warsaw Branch of the Society of Polish Artists. Warsaw today is a city of color, light and Western-quality display windows, but these windows stood out at the time like a beacon in a gray fog. I was drawn by the light, and I entered.¹"

Thus the beginnings of the Nevin Kelly Gallery. Now in its sixth year, Nevin is trying out some new ideas. He recently moved his gallery from U Street to Columbia Heights. He is entertaining different concepts for displaying artists. He is opening up the lines of communication within the DC art world. At the moment, though, he and I are simply sitting in his new gallery space -- a converted apartment located in the revamped section of Columbia Heights. His dog, Boone, goes back and forth between Nevin and me for affection. Elizabeth, his assistant gallery director, is in her office chair next to the computer. Somewhere above us Chris Flynn is snapping off photographs.

We start talking about the work that surrounds us. To my right is a piece by Joan Belmar. Behind him hang two works by Sondra N. Arkin (See photos above and below). Above me and to my left, Ellyn Weiss' work stretches across the balcony. That's just the beginning. On the second floor we add to the list of prominent DC artists, Mary Chiaramonte, Laurel Hausler, Thom Flynn (no relation to Chris), and a bevy of others. I haven't even mentioned the Polish artists on display. All in all I estimate there to be 40 works covering the space. Now, I'm there at an interesting time, mind you. Very shortly this exhibition space will be devoted to H. Wesley Wheeler (see work in photo of Nevin and Boone), an excellent New York-based artist, whose work Nevin appears to be quite fond of. Like most galleries, the space is dynamic. Nevin has plans to make it more so.

"[T]he art somehow gets along," Nevin says as he describes the intermingling of artists and styles currently hanging. He continues, "It's all about structure. The world is structured, organized. I see a lot of structure." Nevin's looking at the pieces all around us. His gaze rests on one of Wheeler's about to be displayed. "Some only see this as a red blob," he says. What does Nevin see? "Organization based on classical rules." He's not only referencing Wheeler's work, but contemporary art in general. Actually he's describing all artwork, even great photographers apply these techniques he feels. He goes so far to say "Pollack is structured -- the structure is there. Very subtle but very strong organization. The ones in the big museums are really wonderfully structured." He likens art to music. If classical painting can be thought of as "structured like a symphony, contemporary art is jazz -- free formed but it must follow structure." He then echoes the sentiments of many a piano teacher, "you have to know the rules to break them."

Our conversation leads into mankind's discovery (perhaps realization is a better term) of the golden ratio, a mathematical formula that lies at the heart of classical composition. We talk about the positivity found in artwork where a major compositional line runs upwards and to the right. Across the room from us, Nevin notices a piece on display that exemplifies this theory. It is one of many pieces in the gallery exhibiting this characteristic. He crosses the room to show me the clear line he sees running through the abstract work. It makes sense to him that it's there of course. He has always looked for "natural structure." The viewer might be unaware of its existence, but it's there nonetheless.

I start to ask questions now about his childhood, where he grew up and what influence that might have had on him. He used to walk through the woods of Bucks County, PA, his childhood home. This might be where he inadvertently picked up on natural structure. It most definitely shaped his personal taste in decor. He likes, "shaker style furniture with really bold contemporary art." He also tends to favor art with "just a few moving parts -- very simple but very effective." Along with the application of mathematics, this is an attribute of most of the artwork in his gallery.

Nevin does not describe himself as an artist. He used to draw and he admits that he was good at literal translation. Says he, "I appreciate the soul of the artist. I don't have the soul of the artist." Perhaps that's true, but he's not much of a self-promoter, so how would I ever find out? What Nevin does have is the ability to recognize that he likes a painting and the desire to find out why he likes it. "[The] atmosphere of the painting is what grabs me," he says. "I know I like it, it takes a while to figure out why I like it."

The Nevin Kelly Gallery focuses consistently on contemporary art. Despite Nevin's desire to one day showcase his late father's work, he has yet to feature the landscape watercolorist. The gallery's walls are adorned with the Polish work that inspired him and intelligent contemporary art. He admits that this might be a narrow view, but he is drawn to this type of art. What's more he loves talking about this kind of art.

"I like explaining why I like the work -- it gives people a starting point. They don't have to agree with me." What they can do though is see the work from a different perspective. Nevin's gallery is designed to do exactly that. We start talking about Mark Rothko. I don't think it will come as any great surprise that Nevin is a fan of the man's work. In one of the few art classes Nevin took in college his professor adroitly put up a slide of one of Rothko's paintings immediately after showing Caspar David Friedrich's "Monk by the Sea". The result was a new found appreciation for Rothko. Going further, it was during one of Nevin's trips to MOMA in New York when he first saw Rothko's work in person. "I now get it," he says describing the experience. It made him "want to get down on his knees." He notices a reoccurring trend in the exhibition of Mark Rothko. It is a technique galleries use to better show the magnitude of his work. "There's always a bench in front of it," he says. Did I mention that I was sitting the whole time I was at Nevin's gallery?

Taken from their website, "The Nevin Kelly Gallery takes a fresh look at contemporary art. It is our pledge to be a different kind of art gallery --from our warm and inviting environment to our focus on works of high technical, cultural and academic merit." Our seated conversation stands as proof that Nevin Kelly is following his pledge. We talk about structure, how important it is to art, and how good art almost always follows it naturally. Nevin has taken the time to discover what it is he likes about these paintings, and can pinpoint it for you. He enjoys intellectual conversation. He equally enjoys the meditative element of contemporary art. By providing me the ability to sit still he also provides me with the ability to reflect and further study the art. Some of these pieces I already know, a few fairly well actually. Never though had I had seen them from this perspective. I'm getting this experience because Nevin Kelly Gallery is designed for it. States Nevin, "I've always wanted a casual, inviting environment. I've always felt that a gallery should allow you to sit," and so his does.

Nevin Kelly Gallery's charm is that you can look at art in a relaxed setting. Moreover the display is scaled to that of an actual home. The space accurately represents the size of the work, thereby eliminating the chance that a patron will take home a piece of work that doesn't fit. Add to that the fact that Nevin employs different techniques in hanging works of art. From their website, "We change our exhibition format periodically between formal hangings of work in 'gallery style' that allows us to showcase a select sampling of our inventory and a less formal 'salon style' approach that shows a broader selection or works by each of our artists. We think this keeps things interesting." It most definitely does.

Still new to the space, Nevin and Elizabeth are figuring out what needs to be improved upon and what can be improved upon. There's a space directly outside the gallery that would make for a great sculpture exhibit. The logistics have yet to be worked out. This makes sense, of course. How often have you heard of an art gallery inside a modern apartment building? Luckily the Highland Park management team has been really accommodating. Chris Donatelli, the builder of the complex, has been especially supportive. It sounds like a pretty good arrangement, especially for any art-loving resident. The neighbors are certainly excited to have them here as well. Press covering the gallery's move to Columbia Heights was largely positive. Fans of The Nevin Kelly Gallery from its U Street days have followed them. All involved should be pleased to know that Nevin is working on new concepts in displaying art that could further put his gallery and this part of town on the map.

Part of Nevin Kelly's philosophy is to keep an open mind. "For me, I almost don't have an agenda," he says. While this is true, it belittles the recent efforts of Nevin Kelly to improve the communication within the DC art community. Recently he hosted an informal gathering for artists to discuss the current art scene, where it's going, and how to make it better. "I sort of believe in the power of group think," Nevin states. "I'm in the business of being creative. My hope is that something special will happen." He is now entertaining the idea of doing quick exhibits. These would be "evening events, not to tie up the space. There's a limited number of artists we can work with." The idea is to make it "about the art and the artist for the night." What he's talking about is an opening, full exhibition, and closing all done in the span of a night. Nevin joins the ranks of many a progressive gallery/organization director in this city, finding new ways to attract crowds and applying new techniques in displaying art. He's a fan of "trying out an idea and seeing how it goes." He's also supportive of other galleries efforts. "Paul's concept is great," he says referring to the not-for-profit Hamiltonian Gallery founder, Paul So. He also mentions Conner Contemporary having a fantastic artist support platform. As many a member of the DC art scene knows, communication is the key to better representation. Nevin Kelly is working on the communication.

Nevin Kelly is hoping to have another gathering of artists at the end of this month. Their current focus is on the March 19th opening of H. Wesley Wheeler's exhibit, "Atmospheric Conditions". The space could not be better for it. If you haven't had the opportunity to experience viewing contemporary art in this type of setting, I strongly suggest making the easy trip over to the gallery. Wheeler's art works exceptionally well with the flow of the gallery. Nevin will be there ready to discuss in person the organization and structure found in contemporary artwork. Mr. Wheeler will be there himself.

In the meantime Elizabeth Carriger is continuing on the gallery's blog and furthering their presence on Facebook. She, like Nevin, recognizes the need to remain open to new ideas and concepts in displaying art. Facebookers out there can find them HERE.

For those of you who want to experience what Nevin Kelly Gallery has to offer in person they're located at 1400 Irving Street NW #132 inside The Highland Park Apartment building. Look for the funky lobby and then have the concierge show you where to go. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday noon -- 6 pm, and also by appointment. Those of you familiar with Columbia Heights area know that the gallery is literally steps from the entrance to the aptly named Columbia Heights metro. Conveniently there are a few restaurants just outside the gallery as well.

All are invited to the opening on March 19th. If you can't make it but still want to see some of H. Wesley Wheeler's work it will be on display from March 17th until April 11th. If you want to read more about Nevin Kelly Gallery or about Nevin Kelly himself please visit their website: www.nevinkellygallery.com. There you can find essays Nevin wrote, the blog Elizabeth keeps, and the artists they display. You can also see the logo designed for Nevin by Kinetic Communications. Nevin's quite fond of the logo as they employed a font called Akzidenz-Grotesk. "That's my life," he says with a smile. Like the space his gallery transforms, he makes the most out of it.

Article written by Chris Davis