Artist Biennial

Ellen Phelan

1943–

34 works in the collection 3 exhibitions at the Whitney

Works in the collection

Large abstract painting with soft green brushstrokes above a pale white base, with subtle drips.

River Test -Trees at Water's Edge

1989 · Paintings

Small vertical patchwork of muted earth-toned rectangles centered on a large blank sheet of paper.

Untitled

1979 · Drawings

A child in a red outfit stands between two shadowy, puppet-like figures.

Street Scene: Memory of Detroit (for Joyce Carol Oates)

1992 · Paintings

Garden, Amagansett

1990 · Prints

Small sepia print of a billowing cloud centered on a large white sheet of paper.

Garden Scroll I

1990 · Prints

A small square black-and-white abstract print of a cloud centered on a large blank white page.

Garden Scroll II

1990 · Prints

Large white paper with a small faded black-and-white abstract square centered near the middle.

Small Shrub

1990 · Prints

A small vertical green abstract print centered on a large white sheet of paper.

Bright Sky

1990 · Prints

Small monochrome landscape print with dark trees and rocks centered on a large white sheet.

Spring, First Drawing

1990 · Prints

A small vertical abstract dark-toned print resembling clouds is centered on a large white sheet.

Summer, Light Morning

1990 · Prints

A small red-orange cloud print is centered on a large white sheet of paper.

Autumn Wind

1990 · Prints

Garden Scrolls and Garden Drawings

1984 · Drawings

Tall vertical charcoal wash with smoky dark-to-light gradient and worn paper edges.

Garden Scroll I

1984 · Drawings

Large vertical sheet with dark charcoal wash and textured marks, showing worn edges.

Garden Scroll II

1984 · Drawings

Soft charcoal drawing of a dark, cloud-like mass hovering above a flat, misty surface.

Garden Drawing: Small Shrub

1984 · Drawings

Large abstract black and gray ink wash suggesting billowing clouds over a faint horizon.

Garden Drawing: Bright Sky

1984 · Drawings

Dark abstract ink wash suggesting stormy clouds over a misty landscape.

Garden Drawing: Spring, First Drawing

1984 · Drawings

Soft black-and-white watercolor shows a misty riverside with trees and reflections.

Garden Drawing: Summer, Light Morning

1984 · Drawings

Dark smoky charcoal clouds blend into a lighter mist above a calm, shadowed surface.

Garden Drawing: Autumn, Wind

1984 · Drawings

A small baby doll in a red shirt sits hugged by a larger blonde doll.

The Sick Child I

1993 · Drawings

Soft, blurred painting of a woman's head and shoulders with paint drips below.

Blond White Woman #1

1991 · Drawings

A hazy, dark portrait of a woman's head and shoulders with indistinct facial features.

Blond White Woman #2

1991 · Drawings

Blurred portrait of a woman with long hair and bare shoulders in muted grays and blues.

Blond White Woman #3

1991 · Drawings

A soft, blurred portrait of a woman's face painted against a bright yellow background.

Blond White Woman #4

1991 · Drawings

A loose watercolor portrait of a woman with long hair and blue eyes against a blank background.

Blond White Woman #5

1991 · Drawings

A softly blurred portrait of a woman with long hair against a blue watercolor background.

Blond White Woman #6

1991 · Drawings

Watercolor portrait of a woman with long pale hair and a calm expression.

Blond White Woman #7

1991 · Drawings

A softly blurred charcoal portrait of a woman with closed eyes and bowed head.

Blond White Woman #8

1991 · Drawings

A watercolor portrait of a woman with long hair and soft, dripping brown tones.

Blond White Woman #9

1991 · Drawings

Blond White Woman

1991 · Drawings

Six Couples

1993–1996 · Prints

(Untitled)

1993–1996 · Prints

A lone person in a yellow jacket and hat walking to the right on a pale background.

Minstrel Show - Dancer

1988 · Drawings

Three figures—a seated baby, a limp doll-like child, and a tense man—stand against a pale background.

Say It Isn't So

1987 · Drawings

Exhibitions at the Whitney