Mike Malloy
Mike Malloy, Susan and Marc on the steps at 98 Bowery, c. 1972
It was in late 1971, or maybe early 1972, when Mike Malloy called and introduced himself. Mike had been given our number by Professor Shirley Hopps, who was always encouraging art majors at the University of California at Riverside to try their luck in New York. An early conceptualist whose work directly involved the viewer, Malloy was an instant success. He already had a critically acclaimed exhibition at the Claire Copley Gallery in Los Angeles, and within days of arriving in New York, art dealer Ivan Karp offered him a show at OK Harris Gallery in Soho.
We provided Mike with space at 98 Bowery, where he lived and worked for about a year. Malloy’s New York exhibition caused a mini-sensation. Titled "Insure the Life of an Ant," gallery goers entered a room where they were asked to either free an ant or freeze it to death. For me, Mike's art was a revelation and I was instantly converted from a part-time painter to committed conceptualist working with people. Others, however, were less enthusiastic. During the run of his show Mike was continually confronted with angry people and negative comments. A sensitive soul, Malloy was thoroughly shaken by the reaction. He abandoned the psychologically charged content that marked his first foray into art in favor of more poetic pieces. He also sought solace in the philosophy of Gurdjieff. Soon thereafter Malloy left 98 Bowery and New York for unknown destinations. I only recently learned that he is now in California, working (ironically) as a high-end insurance agent.
The Attendant, part of Mike Malloy's "Insure the Life of an Ant" at OK Harris Gallery, c. 1972
Artist Mike Malloy fixing his Ant Killing Machine at OK Harris Gallery, c. 1972
Mike Malloy, letter inquiring for a model for his exhibition “Insure the Life of an Ant”, c. 1971/72.
Mike Malloy, description of the killing machine in “Insure the Life of an Ant”, c. 1972.
Photo of “Insure the Life of an Ant” installation at OK Harris Gallery; the entryway and assistant’s desk (killing machine out of view in room to the right), 1972.
Shelves at 3 Mercer Street
Front back and inside of Mike Malloy’s invitation card for “Shelves” at 3 Mercer Street.
Instructions for Mike’s “Shelves”.
Installation view of “Shelves”.