Real bodies
CLOWNING AROUND
Originally from Lisbon, Portugal, London-based pop artist and conceptual clown, #CLAPMUTT discusses his struggles with his body and sexuality as well as his HIV activism and the release of his summer 2022 single, ‘U=U’
As told to Alastair James
Photography Francisco Gomez de Villaboa
I would describe #CLAPMUTT as a clown of all trades. I’m a multidisciplinary pop artist in a clown character that always wears lipstick and a plaster bow tie as a trademark. I’m a performer, dancer, art model, actor, singer-songwriter, and visual artist currently focussing on fighting against the stigma that still exists around HIV.
My work is inspired by lots of things such as psychology and behavioural science, but also simple questions like: why is it so hard to go to the left when everyone else is going to the right? Pop art, Dadaism, spirituality, HIV and exploring contemporary life issues also inspire me. The ‘pop’ in pop art, to me, doesn’t stand for ‘popular’, but ‘population’.
“I really enjoy coming across as a scary clown with the reveal of actually being very sweet”
I also have a regular, run-of-the-mill day job as a supported living manager for people with learning disabilities, who are also a very big influence on my art.
The inspiration for my look as #CLAPMUTT comes from my love of versatility. I’ve always loved being a chameleon and changing into something different. However, in my personal line of work, I needed a recognisable element in my outfits. One day, I had the idea of covering my body with plasters and I put a finger plaster on my neck and saw a bow tie. It made me remember feeling embarrassed when people used to call me a clown. But then I thought: if I’m meant to be a clown, why not play with it and have fun?! So, I began to use this bowtie plaster and painting my mouth with red lipstick, which is inspired by Freud’s uncanny theory that facial distortion is what makes clowns look scary. I really enjoy the idea of coming across as a scary clown with the reveal of actually being very sweet and lovely when I open my mouth.