"Two Clowns" Mixed Media and Oil Portrait by Ozz Franca

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Brazilian artist Ozz Franca reflects on performance, identity, and detachment in this mixed-media composition. Two figures dominate the central space: … Read more Brazilian artist Ozz Franca reflects on performance, identity, and detachment in this mixed-media composition. Two figures dominate the central space: a Pierrot and a figure whose face merges into a sunflower. While the sunflower naturally seeks light, the droopy-eyed face seems to turn away from this vital energy. Rather than expressing joy, it exudes a melancholy that clouds the reading of its expression. The clown, framed by a red collar and golden bells, gazes into the distance as if looking at something that doesn’t exist—an enigmatic attitude, perhaps lost in thought or lingering in a silent reverie. His flower-faced counterpart shares the same drooping eyes and eyebrows, their curves accentuated by pronounced dark circles. Two short vertical lines crossing the eyes at once stylized tears, and geometric markings contrast sharply with the horizontal frozen smile, creating a tension between social play and inner withdrawal.

Behind them, fragmented faces emerge, accompanied by collaged text. These ghostly visages might evoke a distant past—perhaps memories of audiences or individuals the central figures once sought to entertain. Scattered phrases like “living here,” “working hard,” and “the best move we’ll ever make” amplify the piece’s ambiguity, hinting at the burdens of performance and the performers' disconnection from their audience. The chromatic palette combines burnt oranges, reds, bright whites, and blues, all outlined with thick black lines. Chiaroscuro effects subtly evoke the passage of time, further emphasizing the ephemeral nature of identity and memory.

Through this work, Franca questions the roles we assume in daily life—performer, spectator, or unnoticed. By juxtaposing engagement with estrangement, the artist explores identity’s fragility and the balance between connection and isolation.


B I O -

Born October 2, 1928, in São Paulo, Brazil, Franca excelled as an artist and competitive swimmer. At 14, he won first prize in the Spring Salon Art Competition, and by 15, he qualified for the Brazilian Olympic Swimming Team. However, with the Olympic Games canceled due to World War II, Franca chose to dedicate his life to art. At 18, he held his first solo exhibition on a scholarship before moving to the U.S.
In Hollywood, he worked with Walt Disney on films like Lady and the Tramp and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea while moonlighting as a swimmer. Franca became renowned for his ethereal depictions of Native American women, blending the spiritual and sensual with airy, dreamlike colors. His art, characterized by subjects gazing outward or over their shoulders, invited viewers into a realm of mystery and romance.
Joan Lee of Hadley House described his works as capturing the quiet dignity of Native Americans. His prints continue to captivate collectors. After creating a remarkable legacy, Ozz Franca passed away in 1991. See less