A child of the Southland, Erik T. Clayton's vision is intrinsically informed by his upbringing at the back door of the world's culture factory.  Steeped in iconography, his works walk a tightrope of irony and sincerity, reminding us - often through bitter wit - that behind every joke lays truth, and the jester is the only one who can speak it to the king.  Whether laughing with him or at him, his work always leaves viewers reassessing themselves.