Lisa Ross-Rizikov
Clown
Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Byrdie the Beatnik Clown (On & Off Stage), Mixed Media Sculpture: clay, florist foam, old plastic doll limbs, scraps of old jeans and socks, paint, knitting and embroidery, 3.5” x 9.25”, 2022, NFS
Image one: Byrdie On Stage
Image two: Byrdie On Stage, side view
Image three: Byrdie On Stage, detail
Image four: Byrdie In the Café
Image five: Byrdie In the Garden
Artist Statement:
The key ingredients to my creative expression are fun, humour and a pinch of silliness. It seems no matter what form of creativity I express, it comes out playful. Many moons ago I made a “zine” called “Discharge", and without any pre-planning, it popped out quirky and fun (and informative since it was about sexual health). When I take photos, it is often of weird everyday objects that make me smile, such as the little thingy that people hang from their rear-view mirror. All this to say, it appears that my muse is some sort of silly clown or jester that sees the humour in the mundane and everyday things. And I think that my muse’s muse may be my father who was one of the most creative and imaginative people I know.
With regards to this particular creation, I had fun using scrap items and turning them into something whimsical. I was inspired by a craft maker I saw on line that turns dolls into animals with human clothes. When I began to make the doll I did not know who or what it was to become, though I figured I would try to make an animal like a lemur or meerkat, but quickly into the process it became nothing like those animals, or any animal at all. Apparently my piece turned out to be a sibling or cousin of “Dobby" from Harry Potter, which is weird because I’ve never met him nor seen his movie!
After I dressed the doll, I felt something wasn’t complete. I sat with this for weeks, and then it became obvious. This character, when not playing folk music or reading beat poetry, is a clown. Who knew? I guess my muse knew. Sneaky little devil!
The technical stuff:
The head starts with a ball of scrap paper, then a thin layer of clay is applied and painted. The body is made from that green foamy stuff used by florists. To attach the head to the body, I used a pencil (note the prominent Adam’s Apple in honour of my dad!). The limbs are torn off from an old plastic doll. I’ve dressed my creation in old pieces of my kid’s clothes: the turtle neck was a knee sock; the poncho was a practice piece of knitting; the skirt was a pair of jeans, upon which I embroidered a flower.
Finally, I want to pay gratitude for Open Studio. If it wasn’t for Open Studio, this clown would most likely still be an idea. Or maybe, it would have made it to becoming a head without the rest of the body. Open Studio provided the structure and support to keep me focussed. It is so easy to find other things to do and not prioritize art-making. Knowing that other people would be showing up and creating encouraged and inspired me to show up as well. Also, it has been great to see what others are working on, hear about their process and also share and receive feedback on my own work. It is a very supportive group! Thank you Erica for creating and maintaining this wonderful space!
My clown also thanks you!
Bio:
I grew up in a family of artists, though I myself was the oddball, in that I didn’t pursue the arts in any formal way. For the past four decades, until now, I worked as a health care worker in reproductive and sexual health. I started as a midwife in the late 80’s and then worked for almost thirty years in a sexual health clinic as a counsellor/clinician. Throughout those years I have dabbled in different art forms. This has included dance, photography, writing, zine-making, clowning, and improv.
Contact: rizikov8@gmail.com