Närrinnen [Fools]

Närrinnen is a photographic series by Carina Linge portraying contemporary women artists through symbolic role portraits inspired by the historical figure of the fool.

In earlier times, fools held up a mirror to their masters and to society. Through wit, irony, and provocation they revealed uncomfortable truths and exposed social contradictions. In many ways, artists still take on a similar role today. Yet within the art world, women artists often face additional structural challenges and inequalities.

Against this background, Linge portrays female artists as modern “fools” in staged pictorial compositions. Drawing on the figure types of the Commedia dell’arte, the works create charged role portraits in which personal stories, emotions, and reflections of the portrayed artists subtly emerge.

The series combines theatrical imagery with symbolic references, allowing the portraits to oscillate between social commentary and intimate psychological insight.