Giffords Circus, The Aerialists

‘The Aerialists’ is a silkscreen print celebrating the beauty, and jeopardy of an act that was part of the Giffords Circus show 2016.

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to sketch at the rehearsals in Giffords’ Big Top as the performers went through their routines. These 2 American women, unassuming in their leg warmers and t-shirts, stretched ringside, awaiting their turn, before being hoisted aloft. There then followed a performance, without safety nets, of breathtaking acts of strength, beauty and sensuality. Later at the show, now in costume and floating in magical light, the aerialists intertwined above an all but invisible audience only betrayed by their gasps and sharp intakes of breath.

The composition and minimalism of this image is intended to reflect the striped back simplicity and beauty of the Aerialists performance predicated on their bravery and artistry.

20% of the sales price of this prints inspired by Giffords go to the Giffords Circus Arts Foundation, facilitating circus based workshops for disadvantaged groups.

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