Mary Kelly

Conceptual artist

What is Mary Kelly known for?

Mary Kelly, born in 1941 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, is an accomplished American conceptual artist, feminist, writer, and educator. She is a notable alumna of the Albert Lea High School in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Immersing herself in visual art and feminist studies, Kelly has extensively contributed to the discourse of feminism and postmodernism, mediating between conceptual art and more intimate interests of the '80s artists.

Her impactful work, including large-scale narrative installations and theoretical writings, has been exhibited globally, earning her a spot among the most influential contemporary artists of the today. She has undertaken various projects focusing on her experiences, most prominently her journey of pregnancy and raising a child. Specifically, her 'Post-Partum Document' in 1973-79 documented the intricate mother-child relationship in profound detail, incorporating objects from her newborn son's life such as food charts, diary entries, and used liners from his cloth diapers. This particular work sparked controversy due to its unorthodox approach to expressing maternal experiences through art.

Her other notable works include 'Antepartum' (1973), which portrays her stroking her abdomen as her unborn baby moves, and 'Love Songs' (2005-07). She also created 'Peace is the Only Shelter' in 2019. Her academic achievements extend to serving as the Judge Widney Professor at the USC Roski School of Art and Design of the University of Southern California and formerly being a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, heading the Interdisciplinary Studio.

In recognition of her influential work, Mary Kelly was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2015. For more information on her life and work, one can visit her website at marykellyartist.com.