Whitney Museum Comparison

The two artists I chose to compare were Alex Hay and Mike Kelly. Alex Hay created Paper Bag in 1968 out of fiberglass, epoxy, paint, and paper. The piece Paper Bag was purchased with funds from Friends of the Whitney Museum American Art. He has participated in the Biennials or Annuals in 1968, 2004. Paper Bag was included in the 1968 Annual/Biennial. Alex Hay took the everyday object of a paper bag and made it larger, more important.
The other artist was Mike Kelly who created More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid created in 1954 and The Wages of Sin created in 1987. The work More Love Hours Than Could Ever Be Repaid is made up of stuffed fabric toys, afghans on canvas with dried corn. The Wages of Sin Is wax candles on a wood and metal base. These works were purchased with funds from The Painting and Sculpture Committee. The artist has been featured in the following Biennials: 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995. The piece More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid consists of things that would offer comfort to most people. Afghans are blanket creations handmade with many hours spent on them. The stuffed animals are toys that have probably gotten more cuddling from a child than most will see in it's lifetime. The make up of The wages of sin is using fire to shape the wax on the table. This has taken lots of time and associates sin and fire (to hell).
Both use commonly found household items. Alex Hay creates a household item and makes makes them larger than life as if to signify their importance. Mike Kelly uses common household items but they take on a whole new meaning and significance in his works.