Life of a Harlequin

Sometimes an idea takes hold and won’t let go til it’s realized.

Utilizing photography as a medium for storytelling, I wanted to convey a hollowed out sense of melancholy for our star performer. Whenever I think of sad clowns and court jesters, my mind will often wander to Annie Lennox’s live television performance of a Whiter Shade of Pale back in the 90s (I’m not entirely sure of the year). She so perfectly captures that sense of despair that I wanted to focus on for this photo series.

That live performance is more or less an extension of the music video concept she brought to life for her cover of this well known song from Procol Harum. The video features circus performers, with Lennox very much part of the nightly rotation of star players even as she’s grown ever more disenchanted and jaded by it.

I wanted a character here showing a similar quiet isolation and despondency.
Because all the world is a stage, filled with music, fun and laughter.
Until one day our master trickster finds herself dressed once more, set to take the stage for yet another encore. One that she just can’t stomach. 2025.