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Kelly's Art Reflects Survival After Near-Fatal Accident

2/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Artist Kelly debuts 'A Friend Gave Me a Book' at PPOW in New York, 182-panel work recounting a 2002 trapeze accident that nearly paralyzed him.
The work uses vivid imagery and poetic prose to explore mortality and the extremes of artistic expression.
Despite the accident, Kelly continues to create, with the Bughouse play and a new memoir accompanying the PPOW exhibition running through February 21, 2026.

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Story summary

Artist Kelly debuts 'A Friend Gave Me a Book' at PPOW in New York, 182-panel work recounting a 2002 trapeze accident that nearly paralyzed him.
The work uses vivid imagery and poetic prose to explore mortality and the extremes of artistic expression.
Despite the accident, Kelly continues to create, with the Bughouse play and a new memoir accompanying the PPOW exhibition running through February 21, 2026.