Out of Character

“Out of Character” is an exhibition focusing on the development of identity through form and narrative in characterized or stylized figurative work, presented here in the form of moving animation, drawing, painting, and sculpture. 

Early animations and humorous art works, or “cartoons,” were not taken seriously as fine art, even though institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art’s film department supported animation in a variety of ways since its inception in 1935. Historians and curators have tried to define and redefine the canon of fine art and how it’s represented in the art world. Over the relatively short history of contemporary fine art hierarchies emerged, various styles and genres were considered “real” art or less than. It was not until the advent of Pop Art in the 1960s, with artists like Lichtenstein and others who began to appropriate cartoon styles in their work, that the distinctions and hierarchies began to be dismantled. Over time things have gradually changed, with artists such as Philip Guston, Red Grooms, Keith Haring, Peter Saul, and more recently, Joyce Pensato, Nicole Eisenman, Trenton Doyle Hancock, and many many others now held in high regard.

This exhibition is co-curated by Pierogi and Willy Hartland. It will run from March 31 through May 20, 2023 at Pierogi with an opening reception on Friday, March 31st from 6–9pm. There will be a series of weekly screenings, live performances, and artist talks, details to be announced.