Photography: We love Rachel King's portraits of famous comedians

Pictures of comedians tend to fall into two broad camps; the look-how-zany-I-am type or the sad-clown-away-from-the-spotlight. Both have their place but can be frustratingly broadbrush. That’s one of the reasons why Rachel King’s new series is so fascinating; because it breaks the mould. Rachel approached various leading funny men and women and asked them what satire meant to them, and artists India Banks and Frode Gjerlow then created sets and props which represented their answers.

The intriguing series sees Davied Baddiel haunted by his own catchphrases, Jonny Vegas trussed up like a turkey serving himself up on a platter and Sara Pascoe in a gorgeously grotesque fat suit. The Face of Satire is not just a visual treat, but also takes the pulse of an artform the heyday of which many (erroneously) think has passed.

The images go on show at BFI Southbank in London this weekend as part of the London Comedy Film Festival.