HAR LE QUIN
What defines a Harlequin?
The Harlequin emerged from the Italian theatrical tradition of Commedia dell’arte, where characters were shaped around recognisable social types. As the devious servant, the Harlequin occupied a subordinate role, yet repeatedly disrupted the order around him. Over time, the character moved beyond this role, becoming a figure of wit, transformation, and romantic possibility. Behind the mask, identity remained uncertain.
The mask conceals the face, but it also creates another kind of presence. What happens to expression when the face is partially hidden? Does the mask limit identity, or does it create space for something else to emerge?
Harlequin began during the Covid- 19 pandemic, when masks became part of everyday life. They altered how we recognised one another and introduced a new distance between appearance and identity. From simple protective coverings to carefully designed and personalised masks, they became part of how people presented themselves in public.
The project looks at this altered relationship between face, mask, and identity. The mask does not simply hide the person behind it; it changes the way the person is seen. What is concealed can become another form of expression.
Exhibitions
Jahangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India, 22.02.2023-28.02.2023
Darpan Art Gallery, Pune, India, 01.02.2023-05.02.2023
Publications
2023 Harlequin exhibition coverage, Sakal, Pune, India