Kelly Larsen

Statement

My paintings are composed of raw, organic substances. Stone, soil and plant materials are often used for some of the pigment by grinding and mixing with oil and binders. Industrial objects are also placed onto the surface including metal, glass and paper. The colors are typically dark and muted. Decomposed, putrefied and oxidized materials, contained within Earth, inspire me. Earth gives its power to each piece since the work’s physical essence is derived from it. The Earth is something that cannot be ignored, and demands respect. Utilizing Earth’s unpredictable forces, I use the elements to decay, char, warp, and transform the pieces, bringing them to a naturally decomposed state. This perpetual process refers to the significance of death. It involves random, chaotic, and impulsive forces that are tangible, imitating the Earth’s natural processes.

Taking the substrate in this phase, I discern what is to be preserved and accentuated in the final outcome. Like the layers of Earth’s crust, I construct over what has been deconstructed, giving birth to each piece. I then glaze transparent pigment over the geography of textures that have been built up through time, paying close attention to the natural interactions between the substance and essence. Spherical and contradictory ideas like wet and dry, smooth and rough, soft and hard are always apparent in the work. Figurative elements and landscapes are often integrated into the surfaces of my paintings. During the process of creation I ponder what the work may look like as time takes it′s toll on the physical body of the painting. At times, I plan on parts of the painting cracking and falling from the surface. Some of them I include images or certain color behind known fragile paint. So as the painting leaves my presence I intend for the work to change in time which creates mystery, involvement, and demands attention. The owner can then decide if they would like to restore it or just let it go in the direction that the painting will inevitably end up: as dirt of the earth, as it once was.

Place of Birth: Provo, UT

Birth Year: 1978

Exhibitions, Solo

2009 Painted Temple, Concocted Crusts, Provo UT
2008 Mode Gallery, Take it off, Provo, UT
2007 Painted Temple, Entresol, Provo, UT
2006 Painted Temple, Seducing Sedation, Provo, UT
2005 Chapman Library, Sedated Earth Bound, Salt Lake City, UT
2004 401 Gallery, Sedated Earth Bound, Orem, UT
         Day-Riverside Library, Sedated Earth Bound, Provo, UT
2003 Katz Gallery, Archaic Earth, Provo, UT
2001 Atrium Gallery, Bright Sedated Textures, Salt Lake City, UT

Exhibitions, Group

2009 F-Stop Gallery, Crusty Earth Paintings, Provo UT
        Painted Temple, PotHeads, a joint showing of head studies and pottery, Provo UT
       “A” Gallery, Group Show, Salt Lake City, UT
2008 UVU new digital library show, Orem, UT
        Covey Center for the Arts, Freedom Festival, Provo, UT
        Utah County Art Gallery, Spring Show, Provo, UT
        Woodbury Museum, BFA Grad Show, Orem UT (http://www.uvu.edu/museum/exhibitions/archive.html
        “A” Gallery, Group Show, Salt Lake City, UT
2007 Pickle Company, Alternative Student Art Show, Salt Lake City, UT
        Woodbury Museum, Art for Life, Orem, UT
        Thanksgiving Point Gallery, On Going, Lehi, UT
        Meyer Gallery, Utah Art Students Juried Show, Park City, UT
        401 Gallery, Alternative Student Show, Orem, UT
        “A” Gallery, Group Show, Salt Lake City, UT
2006 “A” Gallery, Group Show, Salt Lake City, UT
2005 “A” Gallery, Group Show, Salt Lake City, UT
        Cowan Gallery, UVU President Inaugural Invitation Show, Springville, UT
2004 “A” Gallery, Group Show, Salt Lake City, UT
2003 Chroma Gallery, Group Show, Salt Lake City, UT
        “A” Gallery, Group Show, Salt Lake City, UT
2002 Union Pacific Depot, Feed the Hungary, Foster the Arts, Salt Lake City, UT
         Kilby Court, Blue Peak Art Manifestation, Salt Lake City, UT
2001 Robert Canaga Gallery, Works on Paper, Eugene, OR

Collections Public

Utah Valley University, Presidents Collection, Orem, UT
Woodbury Museum, Permanent Collection, Orem, UT

Collections Private

California, Utah, Washington

Publications

2007, Warp and Weave Magazine
2007, Touchstone Magazine
2006, Touchstone Magazine

Awards and Honors

2007, Meyer Gallery, Utah Art Students Juried Show, 2nd Place
2007, Utah Valley University, Annual Student Show, Director’s Award of Excellence in Painting
2000, Utah Valley University, Annual Student Show, Merit for Painting
2000, Utah Valley University, Annual Student Show, Merit for Sculpture

Public Speaking

2006, UVU for Oil Painting I
2004, UVU for Oil Painting I

Education

2009, Private Figure Study with Patrick Devonas
2009, Vermont Studio Center, artist residency
2007, Utah Valley University, Bachelors of Fine Arts, Orem, UT
2007, Study Abroad in New York City with UVU for seven days
2003, Traveled Europe for ten days
2001, Traveled Europe for thirty days

Volunteer

2008, Utah Arts Festival
2004, Sundance Film Festival
2003, Sundance Film Festival