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# Mike Kelley Dead at 58, Apparent Suicide
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/mike-kelley-dead/
- Published: 2012-02-01T21:37:12.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:46:18.000Z
- Description: Popular LA-based artist Mike Kelley has died of an apparent suicide. One of the most recognized names of the American contemporary art scene, Kelley is best known for his pop culture-infused sensibility that combined the abject with the everyday.
- Author: Hrag Vartanian
- Tags: News, Mike Kelley, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 06:51 (2012, 2013, part 1)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2012/02/mike-kelley-600.jpg)

Mike Kelley taking part in his three short dance/performance pieces for Performa 09 known as "Day Is Done Judson Church Dance." (photos by the author)

Popular LA-based artist Mike Kelley has died of an [apparent suicide](http://artinfo.com/news/story/758572/legendary-artist-mike-kelley-dead-at-58-an-apparent-suicide?ref=hyperallergic.com). One of the most recognized names of the American contemporary art scene, Kelley is best known for his pop culture-infused sensibility that combined the abject with the everyday.

The artist was 58 years old and he was found dead at his home in South Pasadena, California. The artist was announced to be included in the [2012 Whitney Biennial](http://hyperallergic.com/43409/the-leaked-2012-whitney-biennial-list/), which opens March 1.

Related Links:

- [“Pioneering Artist Mike Kelley Has Died at 58](http://www.galleristny.com/2012/02/mike-kelley-has-died/?ref=hyperallergic.com)” (Gallerist)
- “[Legendary Artist Mike Kelley Dead at 58, an Apparent Suicide](http://artinfo.com/news/story/758572/legendary-artist-mike-kelley-dead-at-58-an-apparent-suicide?ref=hyperallergic.com)” (Blouin Artinfo)