Kendra Larson

“My animal sculptures in HUMAN/ANIMAL are a whimsical offshoot of my more traditional painting and drawing practice. They are three dimensional paintings utilizing a drippy, painterly aesthetic that I find interesting and honest. The materials are varied: cardboard, spray foam, hula-hoops, paper, plaster, mirrors, wires, glue, caulking, spray and acrylic paints. The messiness of the material sometimes directs the form. The paint’s viscosity takes a leading role.

The resulting critters are complex in their symbolism, which can be at odds with their actual role within the ecosystem. Humans often make contradictory associations and tie unrealistic characteristics to animals. For instance, bats symbolize death and rebirth and are sometimes known as the “Guardian of the Night.’ They are associated with nocturnal vampire monster and have been connected to the origin of the Corona virus. Conversely, they are a major indicator species that plays an important role in biodiversity.

The cosmos painted on some of these animals references the idea that humans and animals alike are all just star dust. My curiosity of mysticism, paganism, and historical depictions of animals is brought forth in these works.”

 Kendra’s practice explores historical ideas of the landscape and subtly supports ideas around environmentalism, as well as contemporary relationships with the natural world.

Larson grew up in Salem, OR. She received her MFA in Painting at University of Wisconsin, Madison and has shown her work in venues in the United States and New Zealand. Larson is a past Signal Fire, Caldera (Sisters, Oregon) and New Pacific Studios (Masterton, New Zealand) artist in resident. She is represented by Augen Gallery in Portland, OR and teaches at PNCA and Portland State University. Kendra lives in Portland, OR. 

To access Kendra’s HUMAN/ANIMAL viewing room, click here.