Ed Krell exhibits at Dorchester Center for the Arts

Ed Krell grew up in Baltimore and demonstrated a talent for drawing. For years, he sketched small, black and white pieces characterized by nuanced detail and a discernible sense of control. After sustaining an injury that caused him to lose the use of his right hand, Krell began working with his left hand. His artistic style changed completely: he explored a wide range of colors, used chalk as his primary medium, and significantly widened the size and scope of his art making. At first, he chalked on the floor and walls of his house before shifting to large canvasses. He found that, although he'd lost some motor control, he could render images in satisfying detail if he worked at a larger scale. Since moving to Hooper's Island in Dorchester County, Krell has converted an old boat shed into an art studio and started making art full-time. He painted a huge mural on the shed's exterior, blending local imagery with his visionary, psychedelic sensibility. He often listens to music while he's working, and Grateful Dead fans might notice Krell's nod to the band's classic Terrapin Station album. The Hooper's Island Bridge is another recurrent image in Krell's work, and it holds special significance. He sees it as a metaphor for connection, especially when it comes to bridging gaps with people suffering from mental illness. He lost a good friend, nicknamed "81," who struggled not only with schizophrenia but also with misconceptions about his illness. Krell titles this body of work Story of 81 and dedicates the exhibition to his friend.