Simpson Ross

The Joker's Card

An animated piece about a Joker card trying to find their place in the deck.

“This piece uses the idea of a Joker card attempting to discover which card of the deck they are meant to replace as a metaphor for ones exploration of their self in order to find where it is that they belong. Each suit represents a different group or community whose cards dance along to a certain beat that the Joker simply cannot follow, leaving them somewhat alienated from the other cards. They enjoy the dances and the songs of the other suits, even seems to want to join them, but their songs never match up. It is not until the Joker is faced with the Spade suit that they realize where it is that they belong. However, self discovery can be a scary thing and the Joker is reluctant to take that final step. Encouraged by the card they are meant to replace, the Joker accept their truth and is warmly welcomed by the entire deck.For me this represents my journey to understanding my orientation through trial and error, showing how alone and upset I was the longer I went unknown to myself. The Joker character in the end does find what card they are meant to be and which suit to belong to but is the story really over? As humans, we never stop growing or changing and it can cause us to change our preferences, our friends, our communities. Self discovery does not end with the first eureka, instead it is a never ending cycle that continues to turn for as long as you live.”