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Joker III

Description of Art: Joker III is an electrifying contemporary portrait by Norris Yim, known for his emotionally charged and semi-abstract approach to figurative painting. In this work, Yim reimagines the iconic character of the Joker as a psychological study rather than a literal depiction, using bold gestural strokes and raw textures to capture the chaotic spirit of Gotham’s infamous antihero.

The portrait seems to emerge from a darkened field, the face partially dissolved into sweeping marks of color and shadow. Stark contrasts between light and dark create an unsettling atmosphere, suggesting both menace and vulnerability. The expression is ambiguous—part sneer, part grimace—inviting viewers to question whether they are witnessing madness, tragedy, or a moment of defiant clarity.

Yim’s color palette is restrained but powerful, using deep blacks, muted whites, and occasional bursts of color that hint at the character’s theatrical persona. The surface feels alive, as though the image could shift at any moment, reinforcing the theme of instability central to the Joker mythos.

Joker III is not merely fan art or a pop culture reference—it is a meditation on duality, identity, and the fine line between order and chaos. Yim’s abstract-figurative style invites the viewer into a psychological space where the Joker becomes less of a villain and more of a symbol of society’s shadow side.

Painting Title: Joker III

Artist: Norris Yim
Year Published: 2022
Size of painting: 28” x 40”

Collection #: BB-1125

Wall Location: