Renowned artist and Malden native Frank Stella passes away

Note: The following info is from the City of Malden website.

It is with profound sadness that the City of Malden announces the passing of Malden native Frank Stella, the celebrated artist whose innovative works have left an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art. Born and raised on Main Street in Malden, Frank Stella’s artistic journey began here, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

His groundbreaking contributions to the art world spanned over six decades, during which he challenged conventions and redefined the boundaries of abstract expressionism. His bold and dynamic compositions, characterized by geometric shapes and vibrant colors, captivated audiences worldwide and earned him widespread acclaim.

Frank remained deeply connected to his roots in Malden, maintaining a strong sense of pride in his hometown throughout his life. His original design (Sinjerli Variations IV Redux, 1968) adorns Malden’s Wayfinding Signs throughout the City. The project was initiated by Mayor Christenson’s Advisory Committee on Walkability in 2012, chaired by Malden artist Sharon Santillo, as they worked to create an innovative way to help pedestrians easily navigate the City while encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Sharon reached out to Frank Stella to see if he would permit Malden to use one of his original designs on the wayfinding signs and Frank immediately agreed. In 2014, Frank attended a WalkBoston Golden Shoe Award ceremony at MIT in Boston where Mayor Christenson, Sharon Santillo and the Walkability Committee were commended for making Malden the first city ever to combine artwork with walkability.

In 2018, Frank Stella came to Malden to donate two of his original pieces: “The Pacific” 1972 and “Shards IV” 1982 to the Malden Public Library. His original piece “Louisiana Lottery,” 1972 was donated at the same time by Malden Public Library Patrons John Giso and Michael Nutall. There was a celebratory reception held in his honor and he was presented a Key to the City by Mayor Gary Christenson.

In 2019, Frank granted Malden Arts ARTLine permission to use his “Protractor” 1960s series for a large mural along Route 60 in Malden. The artwork, a collection of bright, curved brands of color on large canvases, is displayed on the wall of Malden High School facing Centre Street and the Northern Strand Community Trail. Frank traveled from New York to Malden to celebrate the ribbon cutting with Mayor Christenson and elected officials.

Although he had not been feeling well, one of Frank’s last contributions was a Happy Birthday message he recorded in honor of Malden’s 375th birthday. Throughout his illustrious career, Frank Stella received numerous accolades and honors and his works are housed in major museums and private collections around the globe, a testament to his enduring influence on contemporary art. Frank Stella remained proud of his Malden roots and the City will be forever grateful for his contributions and his artwork will continue to inspire and influence future generations of artists.