Pat Oleszko — Fool Disclosure

Sculpture Center, New York

Pat Oleszko, Octopussy (from The Rat That Stole the Tiber), 2003, installation view, Pat Oleszko: Fool Disclosure, SculptureCenter, New York, 2026. Nylon and blower. 23 x 8 x 9 feet (701 x 244 x 274 cm). Courtesy the artist and David Peter Francis, New York. Image courtesy SculptureCenter, New York. Photo: Charles Benton

At SculptureCenter, Pat Oleszko fills the space with costumes, inflatables, and wordplay that refuse to take themselves too seriously. Fool Disclosure leans into the tradition of the jester, using comedy and spectacle to poke at power and pretense. Underneath the gags is real bite, a reminder that playing the fool can be the most honest act in the room.

Three Bozos (from Bluebeard's Hassle: The Writhes of the Wives)

Description: 1985. Nylon and blower. 21 ½ x 10 x 9 feet (655 x 305 x 274 cm).

Installation view

Works depicted: a selection of posters from Oleszko's previous exhibitions, performances, and events, and archival materials from her personal collection. See Gallery Guide for details.

Installation view

Works depicted: Patty Cake, 1972; Charles Patless, 1980; Barbells for Charles Patless, 1980.

The Trojan Horse (from Bluebeard's Hassle: The Writhes of the Wives)

1987. Nylon and blower. 17 ½ x 4 x 9 feet (533.4 x 122 x 274 cm).

Installation view

Works depicted: Udder Delight, 1987; Pillars, 1989.

Installation view

Works depicted: Womb with a View, 1990; Red Dick, 1993; Mr. Green Jeans, 2000.

Installation view

Works depicted: Rrose, 1989; Big Pussy, 1989.

Installation view

Works depicted: WarUSaurUs, 2007; General Dismay, 2007; Miss Ill Cluster, 2007; Udder Delight, 1987; Pillars, 1989; Yupasaurus, 1987.

Yupasaurus (from Bluebeard's Hassle: The Writhes of the Wives)

1987. Nylon and blower. 19 ½ x 7 ½ x 9 feet (594 x 229 x 274 cm).

Red Dick

1993. Nylon and blower. 88 x 56 x 26 inches (224 x 142 x 66 cm).

The Domino Effect

1990. Nylon and blower. 15 x 7 x 9 ½ feet (457 x 213 x 290 cm). Detail.

Installation view

Works depicted: The Domino Effect, 1990; Swish Guard, 1999; Duh Nincompope, 1999; Temple of Been Here, 1999; Octopussy, 2003.

Installation view

Works depicted: The Domino Effect, 1990; Airtopia Game Plan, 2003; General Dismay, 2007; 3 Miss Ills, 2007; Miss Ill Cluster, 2007; WarUSaurUs, 2007; Three Bozos, 1985.

Installation view

Works depicted: Big Feet, 1995; General Dismay, 2007; Big Pussy, 1989; Rrose, 1989; Blowhilda, 1980; Womb with a View, 1990; Red Dick, 1993; Mr. Green Jeans, 2000; YNV?, 1993.

Installation view

Installation view

Works depicted: Octopussy, 2003; Three Bozos, 1985; Udder Delight, 1987; Pillars, 1989; Swish Guard, 1999; Duh Nincompope, 1999; Temple of Been Here, 1999; General Dismay, 2007; 3 Miss Ills, 2007; Miss Ill Cluster, 2007; WarUSaurUs, 2007.

Installation view

Works depicted: Three Bozos, 1985; YNV?, 1993; The Trojan Horse, 1987; Octopussy, 2003; Yupasaurus, 1987; Blowhilda, 1980; General Dismay, 2007; 3 Miss Ills, 2007; Miss Ill Cluster, 2007; WarUSaurUs, 2007; Womb with a View, 1990; Red Dick, 1993; Udder Delight, 1987; Pillars, 1989.

Installation view

Works depicted: Three Bozos, 1985; YNV?, 1993; The Trojan Horse, 1987; General Dismay, 2007; 3 Miss Ills, 2007; Miss Ill Cluster, 2007; WarUSaurUs, 2007; Womb with a View, 1990; Red Dick, 1993; Mr. Green Jeans, 2000.

Installation view

Works depicted: The Trojan Horse, 1987; Womb with a View, 1990; Red Dick, 1993; General Dismay, 2007; 3 Miss Ills, 2007; Miss Ill Cluster, 2007; WarUSaurUs, 2007; Udder Delight, 1987; Pillars, 1989.

Installation view

Pat Oleszko: Fool Disclosure, SculptureCenter, New York, 2026. Courtesy the artist and David Peter Francis, New York. Image courtesy SculptureCenter, New York. Photo: Charles Benton.