Experiencing a series of clown games certainly felt like upping the stakes (and the risk of potentially breaking a vase). Jessie Evans not only brought costume accessories for participants to wear but also a soft ball that was used in the games.
Participants stood in a circle and played a version of catch, tossing and receiving the ball from one another. Jessie then gradually modified the rules of the game, introducing restrictions such as catching the ball using a body part other than hands. As the game grew more complex, participants interacted in increasingly creative ways, resulting in many surprises and laughter. Between each game, we were instructed to draw something we observed or even create a self-portrait reflecting how we responded to catching the ball. As the games became more intense, the drawings naturally captured the dynamic interactions.
What I particularly enjoyed about this workshop was the element of movement and how it was translated into drawing. While movement is often used as a direct tool for creating art, this was the first time I documented movements immediately after experiencing them. There was also a nostalgic element to the games that made them enjoyable. Jessie was an amazing artist to have at the workshop, creating a unique experience for all participants and bringing the fun and playfulness of clowns to life.
“This workshop is for people who earnestly want to capture how they feel with a smiley face…” 🙂
We are excited to welcome Jessie Evans @je_s_ie to the studio next Tuesday 5 Nov, for her debut workshop ‘Upping the Stakes: Drawing with dramatic insight’. Continuing the vein of performance running through the Drawing Lab, Jessie is hosting a workshop taking cues from the world of Clowning.
“Through a series of clown games, we will disarm, surprise and locate ourselves, and then attempt the most authentic relaying of our experiences with drawing.”
Jessie Evans is a fine artist working between painting, drawing and clown. She uses live performance to create autofiction around her work. Join us on Tuesday for some drawing equivalents in tightrope, juggling and unicyclying.
UPPING THE STAKES: drawing with dramatic insight
With Jessie Evans
Tuesday, 5 November, 6.30 – 8.30pm
https://www.instagram.com/p/DB3IsAEtjjJ/?img_index=1
