{"id":26295,"date":"2014-12-03T12:29:36","date_gmt":"2014-12-03T17:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=26295"},"modified":"2015-01-12T12:59:55","modified_gmt":"2015-01-12T17:59:55","slug":"sarah-farndon-punchline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=26295","title":{"rendered":"Sarah Farndon: Punchline"},"content":{"rendered":"

At a varied stage in our life we learn the trick of saying something we mean but drenched in humor. So as to say, \u201cI went there, but I\u2019m having fun.\u201d Currently Pari Nadimi Gallery runs the exhibition Punchline<\/em> by artist Sarah Farndon, an artist whom, seems to have this approach perfected. Farndon\u2019s work consists of comical semi-realistic busts of noted political figures made entirely out of polymer clay (a medium the artist has been familiar with since childhood).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Installation view with Sarah Farndon, Vlad<\/em>, 2014, Polymer Clay, 9″H x 4″W x 3.5″D<\/p>\n

Punchline is a solo show, and it is hard to imagine it as anything else. The pieces simply offer up too much vitality to be shown any other way. Upon entrance to the gallery stands a bust of our infamous mayor of very recent past, Rob Ford.\u00a0 Ford\u2019s bust is represented in no academic glory, but instead is shown head thrown back in a fit of hysterical laughter, and in good company. The exhibition is a m\u00e9lange of notable political figures who bare no political affiliation to one another but whose commonality is in their representation, all in full-tilt uninhibited laughter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sarah Farndon, Rob<\/em>, 2014, Polymer Clay & Glass, 12″H x 5″W x 5.5″D \u00a0<\/p>\n

Gallery owner Pari Nadimi is careful to point out how all the busts are fastened to the walls with a pipe that looks as if to come from a sink; a subtle but intensifying element. What does this pipe represent? What is it channeling to the political subject? Political statements are not something that the artist is concerned with. Sarah Farndon states \u201cPunchline is definitely meant to be more satirical than political, and my work is always meant to raise more questions than give answers. I want the viewer to make up their own mind about the politicians and leaders that I have depicted, and why it is that they are all laughing.\u00a0 I purposely depicted politicians with a wide range of political views, because I did not want my own political views to show in the work. I did not want to appear to be making a solid political statement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sarah Farndon, Un<\/em>, 2014, Polymer Clay, 8″H x 4″W x 4″D<\/p>\n

Farndons does such a good\u00a0job of representing her busts as characters whose presence is not looming or highbrow. The pieces extend from the wall and reach at about chest height; part of the experience is staring down at these busts and visually dissecting them. Do we feel closer to these political figures as we witness them in this semi-detached comical mimicry? Our presence may feel dominating if they had not been represented engulfed in ecstatic laughter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sarah Farndon, Angela<\/em>, 2014, Polymer Clay and Mixed Media, 11″H x 5″W x 6″<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sarah Farndon, Barack<\/em>, 2014, Polymer Clay, 20″H x 9″W x 9.5″D<\/p>\n

This stretches itself further into the art sphere, example being: when considering the artist, the institution, the critic, the viewer, there has been and will always be a constant battle in the art world to see who is coming out on top. Who has the final verdict? And who is the \u201cbutt of the joke?\u201d Who depends on whom? This age-old battle that encompasses the art world is again brought up in Pari Nadimi’s gallery space. Who has the final laugh?<\/p>\n

Text and photo: Kate Pendergast<\/p>\n

*Exhibition information: November 13 \u2013 December 20, 2014, Pari Nadimi Gallery, 254 Niagara Street, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed \u2013 Sat 12 \u2013 5 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Kate Pendergast<\/strong><\/p>\n

The exhibition is a m\u00e9lange of notable political figures who bare no political affiliation to one another but whose commonality is in their representation, all in full-tilt uninhibited laughter.<\/p>\n

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