Artist Statement
Karl L. Larsen is an artist and author based out Austin, Texas and his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. Following the release of his keystone literary publication (W a n t., 2011), a steady array of visual art has followed. Aside from his book, Larsen is also largely known locally for the facilitation of multiple Before I Die Wall installations, including Columbia’s Main Street (2013) and West Columbia’s Riverwalk (2015). These giant interactive public art installations gave way to more abstract public projects. In 2016, as Columbia’s Famously Hot New Year marquee artist for the second consecutive year, Larsen unleashed madness on Main Street with ‘Channel-Surfing Couch Potatoes’. The abstract installation 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, inanimate object placement and often subliminal messages, he’s able to manipulate any public space for interpretive consumption. Following the success of ‘O D O M E T E R’, his 2017 collection of abstract landscapes inspired by his travels, Larsen excavates his own mind for a bazaar collection of his most recent abstract mixed media paintings entitled, ‘Untethered’ – currently in exhibition.
Karl is currently working as a studio artist in downtown Columbia. Past venues include the Richland County Library, Kershaw County Library, Gallery 80808, Frame of Mind, 701 Whaley, Columbia Development Corporation, Tapp’s and in 2016, the Riker Studio in New York City. His style varies but remains mostly abstract, ranging from visual art and fashion to publishing. By incorporating many elements of mixed media and a “no rules” approach, this form of unrestricted expression allows him to go about his work without any preconceived notion to guide his hand during the creative process.
THE ARTIST: Karl L. Larsen is an artist and author based out of Columbia, South Carolina. Following the release of his keystone literary publication, W a n t., 2011, a steady array of visual art has followed. Aside from his book, Larsen is also largely known locally for the facilitation of multiple ‘Before I Die Wall’ installations, including Columbia’s Main Street, 2013 and West Columbia’s River Walk, 2015. The River Walk BID Wall was recorded as the single largest in the entire world. These giant interactive public art installations gave way to more abstract public projects. In 2016, as Columbia’s Famously Hot New Year marquee artist for a second consecutive year, Larsen unleashed madness on Main Street with ‘Channel-Surfing Couch Potatoes’. This abstract installation attracted 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. Following the success of his ‘Odometer’ exhibition, 2017, Larsen excavated his own mind for a bazaar collection of abstractions for ‘Untethered’, 2018. He continues to test himself with abstract and conceptual work with mixed media, paint and sculpture. A few past venues include the Richland County Library, Kershaw County Library, Gallery 80808, Frame of Mind, Tapp’s Arts Center and in 2016, the Riker Studio in New York City. Karl has also exhibited work in Sooke, British Columbia. His style varies but remains mostly abstract, ranging from visual art and fashion to publishing. By incorporating many elements of mixed media and a “no rules” approach, this form of unrestricted expression allows him to go about his work without any preconceived notion to guide his hand during the creative process. His most recent mural can be found in West Columbia’s new Art Park, his second mural and third major art project with the City of West Columbia. Larsen's work varies from studio paintings, collaborative projects, design, murals and sculpture. Website : Wantthebook.com Instagram: @karl.l.larsen Shop: http://karlllarsen.bigcartel.com
