Marion Faller (1941-2014), Duck Soup, from the series Neither Nor: A Primer, 1988; dot matrix print on paper, 3 1/4 inches (frame: 20 1/4 x 28 1/4 inches); Gift of Gary Nickard and Patty Wallace in Honor of Margaret Viola Nickard, 1989
Pun intended is an exhibition of selections from the collection that use humor as a strategy. Artists use devices such as literal and visual puns, irony, satire, absurdity, anthropomorphism, and whimsy to convey attitudes about the human condition or to address political or social concerns. By bridging entertainment with culture, their works illustrate the importance of art as a means of communication, a tool to introduce serious topics without threatening didacticism.
This exhibition was organized in response to a program initiated by the Arts in Education Institute of Western New York, Inc. that will be used by school groups throughout the region. Works were selected by Nancy Weekly, Director of the Curatorial Department, in consultation with teacher James Goodrich.