Not currently on display at the V&A

Winnie the Ringmaster at Zippos Circus, Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, 2017

Drawing
2017 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This sketch was made during a performance of Zippos Circus in the Circus Megadome at Winter Wonderland, the annual fair in London's Hyde Park, established in 2006, that runs from November to January. The artist, the Brighton-based illustrator author, poet performer and teacher Curtis Tappenden, works at incredibly rapid speed, and only by the light afforded in the tent. He visits many circuses and has made hundreds of lightning drawings capturing the moment at the ringside.

After beginning his performing career as Zippo the Clown in the 1970s, Martin Burton started Zippos Circus in 1986 as a non-animal show comprising four clowns, two jugglers and a pianist, with a stage instead of a circus ring. By 2015 Zippos was recognised as one of the UK's top three circuses.

Paul John Winston Rowland or Winnie the Ringmaster is depicted wearing his traditional ringmaster's outfit of red tailcoat, black trousers and top hat. The costume has evolved from the military uniform worn in the 18th century by the first ringmaster, Philip Astley.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWinnie the Ringmaster at Zippos Circus, Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, 2017 (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pen and chinagraph wax pencil on paper
Brief description
Winnie the Ringmaster at Zippos Circus, Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London, 2017. Pen and chinagraph wax pencil by Curtis Tappenden
Physical description
Lightning action sketch of Paul 'Winnie' Rowland drawn by Curtis Tappenden at Zippos Circus, Winter Wonderland 2017
Dimensions
  • Height: 42.0cm
  • Width: 29.8cm
Credit line
Given by the artist
Summary
This sketch was made during a performance of Zippos Circus in the Circus Megadome at Winter Wonderland, the annual fair in London's Hyde Park, established in 2006, that runs from November to January. The artist, the Brighton-based illustrator author, poet performer and teacher Curtis Tappenden, works at incredibly rapid speed, and only by the light afforded in the tent. He visits many circuses and has made hundreds of lightning drawings capturing the moment at the ringside.

After beginning his performing career as Zippo the Clown in the 1970s, Martin Burton started Zippos Circus in 1986 as a non-animal show comprising four clowns, two jugglers and a pianist, with a stage instead of a circus ring. By 2015 Zippos was recognised as one of the UK's top three circuses.

Paul John Winston Rowland or Winnie the Ringmaster is depicted wearing his traditional ringmaster's outfit of red tailcoat, black trousers and top hat. The costume has evolved from the military uniform worn in the 18th century by the first ringmaster, Philip Astley.
Collection
Accession number
S.120-2018

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdSeptember 6, 2018
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest