Candance Biggerstaff

Artist Statement

LONG TERM CIRCUS SERIES

For the past three decades, I have been photographing the intentional communities, nontraditional families, collectives that form around traveling circuses. This focused series started to understand and enlighten my own contrasting opinions about what a family was or is.

Then it became a joyful way for me to explore and photograph the generations of family traditions, like minded individuals that follow and choose an untraditional work community that makes up a troupe of circus artists.

I relish in showing what the audience does not see, the backyard and lives of the circus community.

Artist Bio

Candace Biggerstaff was born Southern California. Her photography examines and documents intentional communities, nontraditional families, collectives, and circuses.

At 20, Candace joined Circus Vargas and began a life-long love of the American Circus.

In the last eight years she has made her home in Ashland, Oregon.

She is currently a member of BlueSky Galleries in Portland, The Los Angeles Center of Photography, Circus Historical Society, a Charter member of Women in Photography International, Los Angeles Art Association,“ The Lucie Foundation, and resided as an “Artist in Residence,” at Studio Channel Islands Art Center, in Camarillo, California.

CadillacScones, 2025