Skip to main contentBiographyGreg Kelsey
Born 1971 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma
Lives in Ignacio, Colorado
An honest look at Greg Kelsey’s sculpture reveals his intensity for both form and subject. No matter the subject, it is his belief that form is the most significant thing about a sculpture. Says Kelsey, “It is a powerful combination when form and subject are both meaningful.”
A self-taught artist, Kelsey is a consummate student of the behavior of light on surface. He feels the mastery of different textures gives a piece life and aids the viewer in noticing what is supposed to be noticed. The form has to own its own space and command attention, whereas the detail should draw the focus of the eye while stressing power, gesture, or movement. Kelsey feels his subjects have already told a story through mood, texture, and line that he, as the artist, must recognize, acknowledge, and retell.
Notable Awards and Achievements:
2017 CM Russell Art Show & Auction, Sculpture set new record at gavel
2016 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Cyrus Dallin Award for Best Sculpture (also 2015, 2010)
2015 Briscoe Western Art Museum, Night of Artists, Committee’s Choice Purchase Award and, Committee’s Choice Sculpture Award
2014 Inducted as an inaugural member of the Russell Skull Society of Artists
2012 Briscoe Western Art Museum, Night of Artists, Committee’s Choice Award and honored with a piece in the permanent collection of the Briscoe Museum
2011 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award
2010 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Patrons’ Choice Award
2010 Created sculpture for Charlie Russell Heritage Award for the C. M. Russell Museum
2009 Phippen Museum Fine Art Show, First Place Sculpture
2009 Elected as Sculptor Member of National Sculpture Society
2008 Bosque Arts Center, Bosque Art Classic, Gold Medal Sculpture & Jones Purchase Awards
2007 C. M. Russell Art Show & Auction, People’s Choice–Sculpture Award and honored with a piece in the permanent collection of the C.M. Russell Museum
2003 Night of the Artists, San Antonio, Texas, Best Sculpture Award
2001 C. M. Russell Art Show & Auction, Artists’ Choice Award
Memberships:
Russell Skull Society of Artists, Inaugural Member
National Sculpture Society, Sculptor Member
Gallery Representation:
Broadmoor Galleries, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coeur d’Alene Galleries, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Montana Trails Gallery, Bozeman, Montana
Settlers West Galleries, Tucson, Arizona
Sorrel Sky Gallery, Durango, Colorado, and Santa Fe, New Mexico
Entered by Elias Garza Garcia, Curatorial Assistant, 3/16/2023
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for Greg Kelsey
Greg Kelsey
American, born 1971
Born 1971 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma
Lives in Ignacio, Colorado
An honest look at Greg Kelsey’s sculpture reveals his intensity for both form and subject. No matter the subject, it is his belief that form is the most significant thing about a sculpture. Says Kelsey, “It is a powerful combination when form and subject are both meaningful.”
A self-taught artist, Kelsey is a consummate student of the behavior of light on surface. He feels the mastery of different textures gives a piece life and aids the viewer in noticing what is supposed to be noticed. The form has to own its own space and command attention, whereas the detail should draw the focus of the eye while stressing power, gesture, or movement. Kelsey feels his subjects have already told a story through mood, texture, and line that he, as the artist, must recognize, acknowledge, and retell.
Notable Awards and Achievements:
2017 CM Russell Art Show & Auction, Sculpture set new record at gavel
2016 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Cyrus Dallin Award for Best Sculpture (also 2015, 2010)
2015 Briscoe Western Art Museum, Night of Artists, Committee’s Choice Purchase Award and, Committee’s Choice Sculpture Award
2014 Inducted as an inaugural member of the Russell Skull Society of Artists
2012 Briscoe Western Art Museum, Night of Artists, Committee’s Choice Award and honored with a piece in the permanent collection of the Briscoe Museum
2011 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award
2010 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Quest for the West, Patrons’ Choice Award
2010 Created sculpture for Charlie Russell Heritage Award for the C. M. Russell Museum
2009 Phippen Museum Fine Art Show, First Place Sculpture
2009 Elected as Sculptor Member of National Sculpture Society
2008 Bosque Arts Center, Bosque Art Classic, Gold Medal Sculpture & Jones Purchase Awards
2007 C. M. Russell Art Show & Auction, People’s Choice–Sculpture Award and honored with a piece in the permanent collection of the C.M. Russell Museum
2003 Night of the Artists, San Antonio, Texas, Best Sculpture Award
2001 C. M. Russell Art Show & Auction, Artists’ Choice Award
Memberships:
Russell Skull Society of Artists, Inaugural Member
National Sculpture Society, Sculptor Member
Gallery Representation:
Broadmoor Galleries, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coeur d’Alene Galleries, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Montana Trails Gallery, Bozeman, Montana
Settlers West Galleries, Tucson, Arizona
Sorrel Sky Gallery, Durango, Colorado, and Santa Fe, New Mexico
Entered by Elias Garza Garcia, Curatorial Assistant, 3/16/2023
Person TypeIndividual
Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, born 1957
