2023 Exhibition: Art for Silliness's Sake

Art for Silliness's Sake | Schneider Hall | Gallery X

June 2-August 4, 2023

Art for Silliness's Sake defines and explores silly art through works created since 2016, featuring local artists like Elsa Oldham and EVPL. Silly art comes as a response to the social and political atmosphere of America from about 2016, in which time, tragedy, and trauma have been sandwiched between ridiculous, absurd, and over-the-top oddities. These moments, debated back-to-back in 24-hour news and on social media, produce an ever- mounting hopelessness and a sense of absurdity among viewers. Instead of giving into these feelings, however, some artists have responded with a defiantly anti-nihilistic attitude and an indulgence in the silly—or, in other words, with silly art.

Art for Silliness’s Sake, is curated by Abby Howerton, and features artists Elsa Hansen Oldham, EVPL, Sunday Nobody and Smac McCreanor.

Image: EVPL, I Didn't Say "Simon Says.", 2021, Digital print installation, 60” x 74”