Kelley became notable for his use of unconventional materials such as stuffed toys and
found objects – More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid is perhaps his most recognised work of this kind; the piece is a haphazard assemblage of rag dolls and blankets that Kelley sourced from thrift shops.
« I started seeing throughout my work that a lot of these traditional, low comedy forms and subject matters were operating. I wanted to start to deal with that in a more conscious way. »
Mike Kelley
Societal values and norms were one of the biggest inspirations for Kelley’s works and he attempted to subvert pre-existing notions with his focus on themes such as sexuality, class, gender and criminality – one particular installation, Pay for Your Pleasure, featured
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Kelley became notable for his use of unconventional materials such as stuffed toys and
found objects – More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid is perhaps his most recognised work of this kind; the piece is a haphazard assemblage of rag dolls and blankets that Kelley sourced from thrift shops.
« I started seeing throughout my work that a lot of these traditional, low comedy forms and subject matters were operating. I wanted to start to deal with that in a more conscious way. »
Mike Kelley
Societal values and norms were one of the biggest inspirations for Kelley’s works and he attempted to subvert pre-existing notions with his focus on themes such as sexuality, class, gender and criminality – one particular installation, Pay for Your Pleasure, featured a range of portraits of genius men including the likes of philosophers, poets and fellow artists; the theme was subverted with the final showing of a painting created by a convicted criminal.
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