Adrian Kellard

Adrian Lee Kellard (Jan 28,1959 New Rochelle, NY- Nov.14 1991 New York, NY) was an American artist known for his woodcuts and sculptures of religious and often homoerotic imagery.

Adrian studied at the State University of New York at Purchase from 1977 to 1980 under the guidance of Uruguayan artist Antonio Frasconi and Judith Bernstein. After leaving SUNY Purchase he apprenticed under Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt through the SUNY Empire State Program. Living in New York City, Kellard was represented first by Schreiber/Cutler Gallery in SoHo. From 1980- 1991 he exhibited in 6 solo shows and over 25 group exhibitions. Ownership of the gallery shifted in 1988 becoming Susan Schreiber Gallery where he was represented until his death.

Kellard's earliest works were woodcuts prints which quickly led to his omitting the prints as his medium and creating the carved and painted wood blocks as the finished artworks. He freely drew upon an eclectic group of artists - Marsden Hartley, Picasso and Van Gogh in combination with religious imagery, "low" art and homosexual icons as the inspirations for his art. Kellard's works from 1983 were brightly colored and loudly didactic. In keeping with his goal of integrating religion into daily life many of his works were functional, i.e. desks, calendars and screens. In 1987 the artist was diagnosed with AIDS. Subsequently, a gradual change in his work appears. The work became less overtly religious and instead he began to use subdued colors and the tone became melancholy and compassionate.