Matt Hoyle is an interesting artist. After browsing his different series, one caught my eye, Barnumville. In this series, Hoyle did several portraits of contemporary side show performers. Some more performers than others, He has images of surly looking clowns, sword swallowers, gentle giants, the ghost girl depicted to the left, midgets, strongmen, and knife throwers.
Whats interesting about these portraits is that they are simple headshots against a neutral background. With only the figure to focus on, their individuality and uniqueness comes through. The portrait also puts more emphasis on who they are, not what they are. You cant tell that the fat lady is giagantic from her portrait, and you can bearly tell that the siamese girls are conjoined. You do see their expression, or lack thereof, and see the person more for who they are.
The ghost girl pictured is eeriely beautiful, with giant saucer eyes and a small pursed mouth, staring at the viewer. The same goes for the siamese twins. You see their beautiful faces, with scattered freckles about, and as you examine the image, you see that there is no seperation between their shoulders.
I like Hoyle's images because he took what people might have false preconceptions of, sideshow performers, and created a more intimate and personal look at them. You see them for who they are, not what they are, not sideshow freaks, but people.
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