University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

The “Big Finger” painting event that will take place at the UB Anderson Gallery will be similar to one that was staged at Artpark.

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  Charles Clough will “excavate” this Hallwalls’ relic in the UB Art Gallery in the Center for the Arts as part of the Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) conference being held at UB.

By SANDRA FIRMIN

Published: May 10, 2012

Buffalo-born artist and Hallwalls co-founder Charles Clough will return to Buffalo next week for two public events tied to “The Way to Clufffalo,” a 40-year retrospective of his work that is on exhibit through May 19 in the UB Art Gallery in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.

“Excavating Art” is a performative archaeological dig of a Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center relic—successive layers of large sheets of paper that Clough and cohorts scribbled on and variously “used” from the beginning of Hallwalls in 1974 until 1978, when Clough rolled up the papers and moved to New York City.

Clough will perform this “excavation” from 7-8 p.m. May 17 in the Second Floor Gallery of the UB Art Gallery as part of the Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) conference being held at UB.

The excavation is co-sponsored by the UB Art Galleries and the departments of Anthropology and Media Study.

The second event, “Big Finger Painting Parking Lot Party,” will take place from 1-3 p.m. May 19 at the UB Anderson Gallery, 1 Martha Jackson Place, near Englewood and Kenmore avenues in Buffalo.

Since the mid-1970s, Clough has staged group art-making sessions during which members of the public are invited to explore their own creative potential under the artist’s guidance.

Gestural abstraction like Clough’s is known for its ability to stimulate imaginative free association. “Big Finger” tools—soft, rubber-coated pads of varying sizes attached to sticks—can be used to vigorously swirl and blend paint directly onto large-scale canvases to produce unexpected effects.

This lively activity lends itself to meaningful public participation for people of all ages and abilities to create something beautiful together.

Programming support is provided by the Schuele Paint Co.; Lloyd’s Taco Truck will be parked near the Anderson Gallery.

Both the excavation and painting party are free and open to the public.

For more information, call 645-6913.