Lithograph by Oldrich Kulhanek "The Humour Will Stop" 1989

The Humour Will Stop

This work by Oldřich Kulhánek is much more than a collection of seemingly humorous faces. It constitutes a sharp political and psychological study of the human condition within an oppressive system. Symbolism and Meaning Central to the composition is the striking red nose, a powerful symbol referring to the clownish role individuals are often forced to play within bureaucratic or oppressive structures. Remarkably, these noses are rarely placed correctly. They appear on an eye, a forehead, or a cheek, creating an alienating and unsettling effect. This distortion suggests that: the imposed role is not natural, but is enforced the individual's identity is compromised the human being becomes, as it were, “deformed” by his position within society The work thus balances between satire and criticism, and incisively exposes the tensions between the individual and the system.

Edition: 21/60

Personally signed by the artist for the owners