Mike Kelley, the conceptual artist and critic, passed away last night, reportedly a suicide. I first became aware of his work through his cover art for Sonic Youth’s Dirty, which featured stuffed animal portraits, at once innocent and deeply creepy. Pop culture wags are bound to wonder who the third will be, as news of the suicide Soul Train host Don Cornelius also came out today. Here is hoping they are at peace, in whatever state of being or non-being they may occupy.
Kelley on the PBS series Art21
Dirty / Sonic Youth – MRd S66 Dirt
And here are a few of Kelley’s titles in the Visual Arts Library:
Destroy All Monsters magazine / Mike Kelley; drawings, Jimmy Shaw; photos, Cary Loren; art, Niagara – ML421 .D478 2011
Foul perfection : essays and criticism / Mike Kelley – N6537.K423 A35 2003
Mike Kelley / John C. Welchman, Isabelle Graw, Anthony Vidler. – N6537.K423 W45 1999
Mike Kelley / interview by John Miller – N6537.K363 A4 1992
Day is Done / written and directed by Mike Kelley – V-V K445 Day DVD
