Anh hề

In "The Clown," Lê Bá Đảng doesn't portray the character as a familiar, cheerful image, but rather leads the viewer into a state of vague and heavy inner turmoil. The figure appears amidst overlapping layers of deep blue, yellow-brown, red, and black, the face almost obscured, with only a few hints of a red nose, makeup, and hand gestures remaining. The technique of scratching, stroking, and layering makes the character's body both appear and dissolve into the background.

The contrast between vibrant colors and the gloomy atmosphere gives rise to a paradox: the outward appearance of the performance masks a feeling of loneliness, hurt, and contemplation. Through the image of the clown, the work opens the gap between the face presented to the public and the hidden spiritual life behind it.