Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One: Humor and Satire from the Collection

Saturday, November 19, 2016–Sunday, March 19, 2017

Clifton Hall Link

Humor, whether it takes the form of caricature, visual puns, or satire, sheds light on cultural norms while also challenging them. When artists use the power of humor to critique, puzzle, or provoke laughter, it also disrupts the false expectation that art is only for quiet contemplation. This exhibition considers how some artists use humor to communicate: Do they invert familiar motifs and tropes? Do they reveal ingrained social absurdities? Do they inspire us to think differently?

Richard Hamilton (British, 1922–2011). *The Critic Laughs*, 1968. Laminated offset lithograph, screen print from one stencil, and enamel paint, with collage, edition 97/125; 23 1/2 x 18 1/4 inches (59.7 x 46.4 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Charles W. Goodyear Fund, 1970 (P1970:6). © Estate of Richard Hamilton / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Honoré Daumier's Une victime de la politesse, 1852 — Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879). *Une victime de la politesse*, 1852. Lithograph, 11 1/4 x 9 inches (28.6 x 22.9 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Gift of Mrs. Theodore G. Kenefick, 1962 (P1962:3.8).

Tony Oursler's Junk, 2003 — Tony Oursler (American, born 1957). *Junk*, 2003. Fiberglass sculpture and DVD projection, 29 x 39 x 16 inches (73.7 x 99.1 x 40.6 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Sarah Norton Goodyear Fund, 2003 (2003:9). © 2003 Tony Oursler.

The exhibition is organized around three sections: The Set Up, Critical Amusements, and The Last Laugh. In each, we see artists deploy parody, wit, sarcasm, or even surrealist humor—which is macabre, ironic, and usually absurd—sometimes including us and sometimes having a laugh at our expense.

This exhibition is organized by Curatorial Assistant Jasmine Magaña.

Admission to this exhibition is free during M&T FIRST FRIDAYS @ THE GALLERY.