There is no definition to the figures — each body a collection of colored blocks of white and maroon and together, the players overlap and flatten into one mass. In his acrylic painting of an organized sports game, New Zealand artist Kelly Rule displays the nature of sport at its most fundamental — it is merely a series of arms and legs, forms in motion. Nonsense given form by an arbitrary set of rules. Like all of Kelly’s work, this piece finds humor in a moment when the absurdity of mankind’s brain is self-actualized.
Rule’s work shares a mindset with the naivete of the post-impressionist painter Henri Rousseau, both speaking in a clear visual language. The inherent innocence and appeal of his painting add charm to his otherwise heartbreaking takes on the commonalities of the everyday work, the everyday life. Rule’s ideas on the world around him and the conceit behind each painting is built deep into the art.
Acrylic painting by Kelly Rule
‘Fighty People’ by Kelly Rule
‘Me Vs Life’ By Kelly Rule
‘Me Against My Enemies’ By Kelly Rule
‘King of the Jungle’ by Kelly Rule
‘Life’ by Kelly Rule
‘Never Not Working’ by Kelly Rule
‘Coping’ by Kelly Rule
‘Tough Luck’ by Kelly Rule
‘Not Happy Not Sad’ by Kelly Rule
