ART(uncorked) w/ Karl L. Larsen

ART(uncorked) is a monthly celebration of Columbia’s local art scene paired with a FREE premium wine tasting. Every third Thursday of the month, SakiTumi hosts a selected local artist to showcase their work for the month. At each opening, there are 4-5 premium wines featured for the tasting and light hors d’oeuvres from 6–8pm! Drop in for what’s always a great night of art, food and wine! See you there!

Opening Reception: March 15th
Exhibition: March 15h – April 19th

*** Featured Artist for March: Karl L. Larsen ***

Karl L. Larsen is an author and artist based out of Columbia, South Carolina, his hometown. Aside from his keystone literary publication(W a n t., 2011), a steady array of visual art has followed. Larsen is largely known locally for the facilitation of multiple Before I Die Walls; the first of which was unveiled on Columbia’s Main Street in 2013. These giant interactive public art installations gave way to more abstract public projects. As Columbia’s Famously Hot New Year marquee artist for two consecutive years, his goal is to go bigger every year. His most recent installation, Channel-Surfing Couch Potatoes, 2017, drew thousands, wowing revelers a contemporary twist to 2016’s strangest events while also paying homage to the artists, musicians, athletes and movie stars lost during the calendar year.

Aiming to offer an experience to those who view his art, Larsen draws most of his inspiration from graffiti and street art and the profound effect it can have on one stumbling into art unexpectedly. With the use of vibrant colors and often subliminal messages, he’s able to manipulate any public space for interpretive consumption, often by inviting the public to interact with his work.

Larsen’s influences range from the contemporary works of muralist and South Carolina native, Shepard Fairey, Brooklyn-based musician, artist and fashion designer, Trevor (Trouble) Andrew to Australian performance artist, Illma Gore. Both individually and collaboratively, Basquiat and Warhol as well as Picasso and Dalí have all provided creative sparks for Larsen over the years.
His recent travels have played a major role in the direction of the Odometer Collection (2017), his most recent collection of artwork.

Currently, Karl works as a studio artist at Vista Studios/Gallery 80808 and organizes and hosts a local monthly art show in downtown Columbia. His artwork has exhibited in many local venues including West Columbia’s Riverwalk, Columbia’s Main Street, Richland County Library, Frame of Mind, Tapp’s, 701 Whaley, Gallery 80808 and the Kershaw County Library. In 2016, Larsen exhibited at Riker Studio in Brooklyn, NY.