Mike Kelley (artist)
Michael Kelley (October 27, 1954 – c. January 31, 2012) was an American artist widely considered one of the most influential artists of our time.[2] His work involved found objects, textile banners, drawings, assemblage, collage, performance, photography, sound and video. He also worked on curatorial projects; collaborated with many other artists and musicians; and left a formidable body of critical and creative writing. He often worked collaboratively and had produced projects with artists Paul McCarthy, Tony Oursler, and John Miller. Writing in The New York Times, in 2012, Holland Cotter described the artist as "one of the most influential American artists of the past quarter century and a pungent commentator on American class, popular culture and youthful rebellion."[3]
Mike Kelley
October 27, 1954
c. January 31, 2012 (aged 57)
sculpture, installation, performance
Wolfgang Hahn Prize[1]
2006
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship[1]
2003
The California Institute of the Arts Distinguished Alumnus Award[1]
2000
Early life[edit]
Kelley was born in Wayne, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, to a working class Roman Catholic family in October 1954.[4][3] His father was in charge of maintenance for a public school system; his mother was a cook in the executive dining room at Ford Motor Company.[3] In his early years he was involved with the area's music scene, which spawned bands such as Iggy and the Stooges, and was a member of the noise band Destroy All Monsters. In 1976, Kelley graduated from the University of Michigan and then moved to Los Angeles.[4] In 1978, he graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a Master of Fine Arts, where he admired the work of his teachers John Baldessari, Laurie Anderson, David Askevold and Douglas Huebler and fully embraced the ideals of the avant-garde.[5]
Awards[edit]
2006 Wolfgang Hahn prize, Society of Modern Art, Museum Ludwig
2003 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship
2000 The California Institute of the Arts Distinguished Alumnus Award
1998 The University of Michigan School of Art and Design Distinguished Alumnus Award
1997 Skowhegan Medal for Mixed Media
1990 National Endowment for the Arts Museum Program Exhibition Grant
1987 Awards in the Visual Arts Grant
1986 Artists Space Interarts Grant
1985 National Endowment for the Arts Visual Artists Fellowship Grant
1984 Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Grant
Legacy[edit]
The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts was established by the artist in 2008 prior to his death and seeks to further Kelley's philanthropic work through grants for innovative projects that reflect his multifaceted artistic practice. The Foundation also fosters the artist's legacy more broadly and advances the understanding of his life and creative achievements.