Laura Larson

Much of my work manifests as content based sculptural installations. These installations incorporate theatrical suggestions of props and sets to create an atmosphere that examines the edge of memory and history. The medium matches the message. The objects I make are meant to be intrinsically recognizable, but there is always a twist with a conceptual underpinning.

My sculptural series called Bernini–Bernana looks at the history of Power and Piety from the female perspective in direct response to the 2008 exhibition “Bernini and the Birth of Baroque Portrait Sculpture” (of popes and cardinals) at the Getty Center. The title of my series relates to (a) Bernini, with sculptural busts on pedestals but flipping the gender to female and (b) Bernana, incorporating the word Nana (women who sacrifice for and/or serve others). This selection of historical/mythical women examines the origins of our present beliefs (historical and spiritual) and attitudes regarding Power and Piety.

Laura Larson graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin with a dual major Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art and in Speech Communications/Theatre Arts.

During the last 30 some years in Los Angeles, Laura Larson been in numerous exhibitions and awarded 7 public art commissions in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. In 2007 she completed a public art piece (through the L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs) for Fire Station #65 in Watts, CA, which commemorates the Watts Prophets. In 2011 she created "House Trees" for TarFest.

In the recent past Larson has created four sculptural installations. The most recent creation was a site specific installation for the Brand Library Art Gallery (dealing with nature and science) exhibited in 2011. The Clearing, (musing on burnt forests and transcendence) was exhibited at Main Street Gallery in Pomona in 2009. EPIDERMIS EMPORIUM (a tongue-in-cheek look at the skin we live in) premiered at the Kristie Engle Gallery in downtown Los Angeles. The Looking Glass Lounge (which explores the issue of self-esteem with the use of mirrors and the voice of female authors) exhibited at HAUS in Pasadena, Los Angeles Art Association/Gallery 825, The Phantom Gallery, and the Riverside Art Museum. Larson received a Durfee Foundation ARC grant to enhance this exhibition.