Hemplegate is perhaps Fingleton's most important work. When asked what the painting meant, Bucky replied, "Shut your fucking gob." He then took off his pants set them on fire. Arrested 10 minutes later for riding bottomless on the M16 bus through Chelsea district, the judge asked him why he was pantless. Bucky muttered something and defecated on the courtroom floor. The judge was so impressed he bought the painting, and sentenced the artist to 10 years.
Bucky Fingleton
Hemplegate, 2000
Material: acrylic on canvas