Rhod Walls
Rhod Walls | Coulrophobia| Hand toned B&W print
Study #4 | 8 x 10 inches
Clowns are one of the universal figures that occur in practically all cultures with the earliest recorded examples dating back to the 5th Dynasty in Ancient Egypt and the great Chinese courts of the Shang Dynasty. The tradition of the white-faced clown in particular dates back to the Commedia del’Arte of the 16th century. This new work looks to their changing role in our contemporary society where diversion comes in the form of pills and Playstations, and the traditional functions of the clown have been assumed by others in society. Where does the future of this traditional archetype lie in the modern world? With a background in philosophy and literature, in particular aesthetics, Rhod Walls’ primary concern is to create an art object to engage the viewer in a personal space and an exploratory journey through the use of layering, atmosphere and symbolism.