Curated by Petrushka Bazin

The genre of comedy, in all its various manifestations in stand-up, theater, literature, television, and movies has long provided rich and valuable inspiration for artists seeking to critique contemporary society using parody, satire and dark humor. Inspired by the parallel ability of both the stand-up comedian and the artist to play the role of cultural observer and provacateur, this exhibition presents new sculpture, video, installations, and photography by artists, who strategically examine, with their frank observations and dry wit, the socio-political dimensions of power associated with cultural, racial, and economic issues. Titled after the longer idiom “tell the truth and shame the devil,” which means to speak honestly and without censor, these artists, following the long traditions of political caricature, offer up wry send-ups of political commentary on such critical issues as global poverty, racial profiling, anti-terrorist paranoia, and right-wing extremism. Artists include: Jabari Anderson, Elizabeth Axtman, Michael Britto, Wayne Hodge, My Barbarian, Huong Ngo, Jessica Ann Peavy, Sara Greenberger Rafferty, Jimmy Joe Roche, and Kenya (Robinson).