The Seattle Art Museum's latest exhibition from Jun 21–Sep 2 2024, “Poke in the Eye: Art of the West Coast Counterculture,” explores the artistic rebellions of the 1960s and '70s. Focusing on movements like the Bay Area Figurative Movement, Funk art, and Northwest studio ceramics. This ambitious exhibition highlights the shared goals and visual techniques of these cultural movements.

The title is inspired by Bruce Nauman’s 1985 sculpture, Double Poke in the Eye II, which features neon outlines of two heads. Nauman, a prominent figure in Funk art, reflects the movement's aesthetic of iconoclasm. The exhibition is curated by Carrie Dedon and divided into five thematic galleries.

One key piece is Robert Arneson’s John with Art (1964), a playful toilet sculpture that embodies the irreverent spirit of Funk art. Alongside Arneson’s work are pieces by Seattle ceramist Howard Kottler, who, influenced by Arneson, created satirical plates that challenge traditional art forms. Kottler's “American Gothicware” series reinterprets Grant Wood’s famous painting, transforming the figures into a same-sex couple.

The exhibition also includes works by Robert Colescott, known for his cartoonish figures and parodic takes on classic art, and Patti Warashina, whose sculptures often reflect humorous narratives. Warashina’s Faucet Pot (1966) features explicit female anatomy framed by faucets, symbolizing her shift from conservative to anti-art expressions.

The gallery introduces contemporary textile artist Xenobia Bailey, whose work celebrates the evolution of Funk aesthetics within African-American culture. Bailey’s vibrant pieces draw on the resourcefulness of black homemakers and the fusion of blues and soul music, emphasizing the playful, rebellious spirit that defined these artistic movements.

Sayart / Kelly.K pittou8181@gmail.com