About a year ago, I bought a vintage clown doll made in the 1960’s from a local garage sale. It was worn and well played with, but still visually stunning. What attracted me to this clown was not just its playfulness and vivid colors, but the almost sublime expression of the “man” under the face paint of the figure.
As I began to incorporate this clown’s image into my work, I found I was drawn to the idea of the “every-day” man that each clown hides in disguise. I started to use his image to stand in for and personify the very traits that make men what they are, if not who they are.
As the series developed over time, the pieces began to have a reoccurring cast of characters. Two clowns, representing all men. For me, as a man, I can understand how these clowns are drawn into their struggles and it is through these characters that I have tried to discuss the me in them.
You can see more of John Mulder's art at Mulder142.com

Mulder142 Kick Ass Clown Art