© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Karen Finley returns to Hallwalls with "The Jackie Look"

By Joyce Kryszak

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-912935.mp3

Buffalo, NY – The performance artist whose work was once labeled as obscene makes a return visit to Hallwalls this week. Karen Finley is probably best known for her performances where she was covered in nothing but chocolate. But her work has helped shape an important debate over censorship and art. Finley is one of the artists known as the NEA Four. In the 1990's, they lost NEA funding in a landmark Supreme Court case where their work was ruled indecent.

In Finley's new work, "The Jackie Look," the artist again brings attention to important social and political issues. This time she does it with her clothes on. Finley tells WBFO's Joyce Kryszak that she doesn't mind being teased about that.

Finley's performance of "The Jackie Look" is at Hallwalls Thursday through Saturday night at 8:00 P.M. You also can hear an extended conversation at the link below where WBFO's Joyce Kryszak and Finley are joined by Hallwalls Executive Director Edmond Cardoni.