Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Black Oxen : Clara Bow



Suicidal Mother

Winner of the Fame and Fortune Contest 1921

Child Star

WAMPAS Baby Star Award 1924

"Too fat" for parts

Editing room floor

Sexuality

"It Girl"

Films Cancelled

Pay for your own publicity photographs

Breakdown

Left Movies to become a wife and mother




Suicide Attempt

Schizophrenia

Death

Life-long Undiagnosed Heart Condition



I worked at a film fair the other week and managed to find some gorgeous photographs of Clara Bow. The story of her is unbelievable; A definite worthwhile read. The more I think about heroines, the more it brings me back to the concept of Shakesperian Tragic Heroes, do people have to have flaws for us to fall in love with them?


Tragic Female Heroes


At the start of my last year at art school (I graduated earlier this month) I did a project called "Tragic Female Heroes" that mapped alternative female heroes (heroines) that had tragic ends or circumstances within their lives.

I'm resurrecting this project and the stories of these women. As you can see from above, some are literary figures, but all are spurned with hurt or holes.

"There's a hole that pierces my soul." (Euripides, Medea).