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Kids Get Arty: Exploring Mike Kelley for Kids

April 30, 2014

Kids Get Arty Finally, we are back with another “Great Artists for Kids” project! We are a little late with this one, though we did do the project a while back. This month’s Great Artist we are focussing on, is American popular culture artist Mike Kelley. Mike Kelley is a great modern day artist to explore with kids, as his artwork is so “accessible to them”. On a gallery visit in Vienna, I saw his “Memory Ware Flat #18” and I knew it would be perfect for the kids. I only regretted not having the kids with me to show them.

Instead we looked at artwork by Mike Kelley online. What is really interesting about doing this, is that you loose a sense of size and perspective. After we looked online, I showed the children a photo I had taken at the gallery (photography WAS permitted), and they were amazed to see a person standing next to it, giving them a sense of size. It was HUGE.

Mike Kelley - Memory Ware Flat 18

I have to confess to not really understanding Kelley’s work at all. But liking (some of) it, especially the art I saw in Vienna. So I guess, this is a Great Artists Project about seeing something you like, and creating something inspired by it. It gives you food for thought and expands your artists tool kit. It gives the children an opportunity to try out something new and ask questions – even if you don’t have all the answers. But sometimes, there are not lots of answers.

Here is a great article on Mike Kelley, written after his death and sharing a video of his key pieces of art – please watch it first to check it is suitable for your kids.

Our Mike Kelley Inspired Art Project:

Mike Kelley - Memory Ware Flat 18 - Detail

1) We started off by looking at the photographs again. I had photographed different details to show them a bit more about the artwork. We talked about the sort of things he put on his pictures and what sort of things we could add. I was REALLY hoping to use up some of the kids “plastic toot from party bags” – you know, little plastic figurines, plastic balls etc – those bits and pieces that fly around the house and get under you feet?? I thought it would make a great “resembling childhood” type theme. But MY kids were unwilling to part with these. We had friends join us for this art session, and they DID part with a handful of said items. We, instead focussed, on our plastic bottle tops, old no longer working pens, and other bits and pieces. I guess in someways, my kids represents what we do: a lot of art and a lot of art with junk (e.g. bottle tops!).

Mike Kelley for Kids

2) We used some cardboard box lids as “frames”. This was really handy for moving it around later. And we squished down some air drying clay for them. Then they set to work.

Mike Kelley for Kids - Junk Collage on Clay

3) It was so interesting to see how they all responded differently. Red Ted was very ย methodical. His friend, was very minimalist (and totally reflected his personally). Pip Squeak, added lots and lots and lots, and her little friend created a story in his artwork.

I love how all 4 mean something different to each child. And how all four reflect the child’s personality. These personality traits may not be apparent to you the reader, but isn’t that often the way with “great artists” work? We look at it and we don’t REALLY know what the artist was feeling or thinking, but we like to try and figure it out? It also shows, how different we all are and howe we all interpret things differently. I love for example that Pip Squeak also created a pattern in the clay using a pen to make “holes”.

Mike Kelley art project for kids (2)

If you are looking for more Art Resources, take a look at:

art-books-for-kids3-254x300 ย  Art Projects for Kids

Art Books for Kidsย and these 30 Art Projects from Kids Get Arty linkies in the past!

Art for kids So.. now it is your chance! We would love to see what Great Artists you have been exploring with your kids and how you approached your arty projects! Come link up.ย 



I can’t wait to see what Artย 

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Filed Under: Art with Kids, Daily Creativity, Kids Get Arty 19 Comments

Comments

  1. Zing Zing Tree says

    April 30, 2014 at 9:06 am

    Hand up, have never heard of Mike Kelley so was really interesting watching the video. I love this idea of using clay and will definately be having a go with the girls … watch this space!

    Reply
  2. nylon living says

    April 30, 2014 at 9:43 am

    Love it! This is also really good for creating an art board of stuff they make from a trip or a hike. My kids are always picking up random things and I never know what to do with them.

    Reply
  3. Emma says

    April 30, 2014 at 11:06 am

    oh Maggy, I LOVE this!!! Definitely one S would adore!

    Reply
  4. Erica Loop says

    April 30, 2014 at 11:20 am

    Love this! I spent years teaching children as a museum arts educator. We had a Mike Kelley on display during a special exhibition and I loved bringing the kids to see and talk about it.

    Reply
  5. Michelle says

    April 30, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    This is awesome and inspiring!!!!

    Reply
  6. Sian says

    May 5, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Popped by to look for a good project to do with my son who’s broken his right arm (falling off a giant frog!) and this is perfect Maggie – thankyou for being inspirational again : )

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      May 5, 2014 at 11:29 am

      Oh I am so pleased!! I do hope he is ok with his arm. Not nice at all!!! Speedy recovery!

      Reply
  7. Cindy @ Two Muses Homeschool says

    October 5, 2014 at 3:32 am

    I love this project! What a great idea.

    Reply
  8. Iva says

    May 29, 2015 at 6:04 am

    How old is your boy? Is to early to try this with 2,5 year boy?

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      May 29, 2015 at 2:10 pm

      My kids were 4 and 6yrs old when we did this! I think you can give it a go wit 2.5yrs old ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  9. Stephanie Parker says

    January 17, 2016 at 12:27 am

    Juneau Alaska State Museum has a cool ‘eye spy’ wall board that is like this. Great idea for a public space. Especially when a list of the hundreds of items are provided and you can search down the list to find each item. Great idea to make mini versions.

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      January 17, 2016 at 9:43 am

      Oooh yes!

      Reply
  10. Antonia chiang says

    December 7, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    What kind of clay do you use? Will it crack ?

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      December 10, 2018 at 9:59 am

      Normal air drying clay. Ours did not crack.. but that is always a risk!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Kids Get Arty Party! - Kid Blogger Network says:
    April 30, 2014 at 7:35 am

    […] Kids Get Artyย on Red Ted Art is a linky up about exploring the Great Artists with your kids. […]

    Reply
  2. 7 Exciting Art History Projects for Kids that Made Me Say "WOW!" - The Art Curator for Kids says:
    October 24, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    […] “Kids Get Arty: Exploring Mike Kelley for Kids” at Red Ted Art […]

    Reply
  3. 30 Artist Inspired Art Projects For Kids – The Pinterested Parent says:
    September 4, 2017 at 11:20 am

    […] Exploring Mike Kelley from Red Ted Art […]

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  4. 100 Fine Art Projects Inspired by Famous Artists - Teach Beside Me says:
    November 5, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    […] Exploring Mike Kelley for Kids from Red Ted Art […]

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  5. Modern & Contemporary Artist inspired Art Projects for Kids - Little Worlds says:
    February 1, 2018 at 9:26 am

    […] Mike Kelley by Red Ted Art […]

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