Mike Kelley

Private Collection, Los Angeles
Sotheby's, New York, 24 September 2014, Lot 342
Acquired from the above sale by the present owner 

Venice, California, New City Gallery, A New Abstraction, 1986

This works is in excellent condition overall. Each sheet is mounted to the canvas with pins in all four corners. The center and right sheets are further reinforced to the canvas with 3 pins along both left and right edges. The left sheet has 3 pinholes along both left and right edges where pins were previously present. There is a soft undulation throughout each sheet, consistent with the artist's working method. In the left sheet there are very minor white pigment accretions scattered throughout, again inherent to the artist's working method. Framed under Plexiglas.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"There comes the final period when you enter into struggle with it. It taunts you; it dares you to force it to behave, to make it be 'right.' A painting might be finished, that is, the support may be adequately covered with paint, the handling of the medium may display a proficiency with materials, yet the painting does not seem done. That mysterious sense of order and balance has not yet been attained." Mike Kelley