Clown Soldier’s mixed media spectacle under Skewville’s famed big top tent

[NEW YORK, July 2, 2024] - Skewville is pleased to present The Clown That Walks On His Head, the first solo show in over a decade by New York street artist Clown Soldier. Skip the commute to Coney Island or the price tag for a Ringling Bros. ticket and step into a bona fide circus in the heart of Bushwick. Across paintings, collages, and drawings miniscule and massive, Clown Soldier will bridge the distinctly American invention of the 19th century circus to the present day with playful works that are visually thrilling and conceptually compelling.

Doug Groupp aka Clown Soldier’s artistic practice started as a kid, replicating masterworks like Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. He earned a BFA and continued to develop his voice as an artist for many years after. In 2009 while sharing a large studio in Williamsburg with a shifting menagerie of street artists, Gaia approached him and suggested he blow a few drawings up on his large screen printing press and try placing them in the streets.

His first official works as Clown Soldier were wheatpastes of his signature character—a clown clad in a traditional ruff mixed in with the ensemble of a French soldier from the 18th century. The clown element evokes the jester’s wisdom along with the absurdity and playfulness of the creative process, contrasting with the serious nature of the combat attire. Those early, life-sized wheatpastes enjoyed traction on Juxtapoz, Brooklyn Street Art, and Flickr. Clown Soldier scored a solo show in Chicago during 2011, painted murals, and featured in group shows alongside the likes of Paul Insect, John Burgerman, and Skewville.

Clown Soldier’s street art evolved when he gained access to a universal public transit key and papered bus stops with advertisements for outlandish inventions like his “Spanking Machine” (2017). A further evolution brought Clown Soldier back into the studio creating works varying from paintings mimicking the mystery and excitement of old circus posters all the way to collages adorned with images sourced from textbooks and industrial design books. A few of these pieces have debuted at Vanderplas and Krauss Gallery but the 7/13 solo exhibition will bring in many more of his works plus the magic only Skewville can create.

When asked to describe his new body of work, he said “My works can be characterized as playful and incongruous, but can also be seen as hieroglyphic. Fragments are pieced together or painted until a wholeness of form is finally revealed.” Clown Soldier enjoys the challenge of marrying the analytical alongside the ridiculous, forcing the audience to relinquish their innate desire to find a primary meaning and instead experience a multitude of responses and interpretive possibilities that change each time they view the piece. But most importantly, his art is meant to create smiles from its playful whimsical nature.

The Clown That Walks On His Head will debut a new collection of mixed media paintings, sculptures, and collaged works large and small. Each honoring the societal evolution from mocking to celebrating differences. Join us at the opening on July 13th from 6-10P as we raise a glass together in a celebration sponsored by Milagro Tequila. Remember to bring your childlike curiosity as well as a sense of humor.

All of the works in the exhibition will also be available for purchase on the Skewville website starting July 13th until the end of August.