Aesthetic, autobiographical, and forever colorful. Caroline Larsen's paintings exist in their own realm, hovering in the space between abstraction and representation. In Wildflowers, Larsen revisits her childhood, bringing the saturated colors of Sarasota to life in a nostalgic exhibition at the Gordon Gallery. We dove into the artist's past to learn more about her textured works, a "celebratory tropical frenzy" stimulating every one of the five senses.
How did you discover this unique textured painting technique? Was it a self-discovery or did someone introduce you to it?
I was first exposed to the idea of squeezing paint from a bag when studying ceramics; I saw someone use ceramic slip as decoration and the idea stuck with me. During my undergraduate studies, we were given an assignment to make a thick painting and I just went crazy squeezing paint out of the tube and bags. From that point on, my technique got more refined.
Purple Rain, Oil on Canvas, 31 x 27 inches, 2017
Caroline Larsen
How do you develop this striking texture with oil alone?
The oil paint really does all the work. It has such a rich and thick consistency so it lends itself very well to my subject matter.
Can you share a few of your most poignant childhood memories from Sarasota with us?
The memories I recall from Sarasota are mostly of the plants and the heat, and how the heat would impart some kind of extra level of color saturation. Greens and reds were just so much more vibrant when the weather was 36 degrees out, everything seemed so lush.
What are some common tropes/motifs that reappear throughout your repertoire?
Definitely the leaf, I love leaves. Lately, I have been really into the deep blues, outlined in bright red paint, and buff strips.
Maimi Moves, Oil on Canvas, 31 x 27 inches, 2017
Caroline Larsen
Let's focus on one piece from the exhibit, say Malibu. What stories of Malibu are intertwined in the colorful "foliage"? How do you capture a tangible locale in an abstract piece?
When I think of Malibu [the painting], it now has such a strong relationship to the location. I think when I name paintings after places I am trying to impart the essence of the location onto the viewer. When I think about the locations I name paintings after, I think of them in the most ideal way, definitely with rose-colored glasses on. Malibu reminds me of sea breezes and wildflowers running up and down the sides of hills and the beach.
What inspired you to create this exhibition for the Gordon Gallery?
This body of work was influenced by a trip that I took to Morocco and Portugal over the summer. Flowers are always such a great sense of inspiration.
How are you investigating kitsch in the collection?
I think one of the main ways I explore kitsch is through the colors I use: pinks, purples and teal are all very kitsch to me.
Deco Dance, Oil on Canvas, 31 x 27 inches, 2017
Caroline Larsen
Are these textured, vibrant works consistent with your artistic image? Or have you evolved in any way?
Texture has always played a large role in my painting, so all of my exhibitions have had a large emphasis on texture. These works differ because of the central focus of the floral arrangements with the consistent color in the background.
What does your world between abstraction and representation hold?
For me, it's almost like a magic eye; when you first look at the painting you can't really tell what the subject matter is, but you know it's something familiar. Once you understand what these paintings are, you can never go back to not knowing. I am also very interested in optical illusions.
Red Breeze, Oil on Linen, 39 x 50 inches, 2017
Caroline Larsen
Wildflowers opens December 21, 19:30 at Gordon Gallery's 6 Hapelech St location, Tel Aviv.
