Circus

Many of us have memories of going to the circus or the arrival of the circus where we lived when we were young, or even as we have grown, many of us have visited the performances of the modern-day circus. Since the late 1970s, a revival of traditional circus has focused on human artistry, avoiding animals. Known as 'new circus' or 'cirque nouveau,' these performances often have theatrical styles, combining acts with original music to tell stories. Today, many are staged in theatres to support technology, inspiring movies and stage productions that captivate audiences worldwide.

Mr Gandey's Circus, Europe's largest touring big top show. Image from Woodthorpe Park, Nottinghamshire News, 2019, Clara Lou Photography

Artists have also been inspired by the circus and the performers; here are just two of them;

Henri Matisse (1869–1954) created his ‘Jazz Collection’ around 1946, using bright gouache, stencils, scissors, and cut-outs to explore artistic freedom. Despite being confined to a wheelchair due to cancer, he believed, ‘artists should never be prisoners of their style or success.’

'The Circus' Henri Matisse 1947 from his Jazz collection. He used cut-outs and vibrant colours to recreate the big top and the performers

Robert Burridge (born 1943), inspired by childhood circus dreams, now pursues a successful career in fine art. He uses his imagination to depict circus characters and other subjects, blending his love for the circus with his artistic expression.

Sticks the Clown - Robert Burridge - Acrylic on Canvas Board from Smithsonian Circus Arts Folklife Festival, July 2017

Art inspiration;

🎨 You may wish to draw an individual performer at the circus or all of them, you decide…

🎨 Think about where the circus is held, the big top, draw this and use colours to make it pop, think about the lines.

🎨 Maybe you like the costumes you see at the circus, perhaps design a new one?

🎨 Some of you may have seen some of the movies or shows, The Greatest Showman or The Amazing Digital Circus, and you may want to recreate a scene with these characters?

🎨 Perhaps you’d like to have a go at a Matisse-style painting using cut-outs to make your own artwork?

🎨 Develop your circus, characters of your choice, use your imagination, any media you wish…

I look forward to sharing time and seeing your ideas come together. It will be a great evening of creativity, and as always, we will support each other!

Please join us for a chilled art session 🙂 Wednesday evening, 7:30 pm UK time. Find us on link-tree, select All4Art https://linktr.ee/all4inclusion