Fragments of Intimacy | Krista Anderson-Larson

Krista Anderson-Larson extracts common bathroom objects and fixtures, arranging and manipulating them to create interactions that reference the body or multiple bodies. Anderson-Larson distorts reality for the viewer as they view both themselves and their surroundings through hundreds of tiny mirrors on bathroom textiles such as towels or rugs. Referencing the visual language of disco balls and their trademark role in gay bars, these sculptures explore perceptions of self as experienced in the privacy of the bathroom. Viewing a distorted reflection of oneself in the mirrors references the experience of gender dysphoria, or not recognizing the reflection of oneself or one's body.

Many key physically and psychologically developmental moments take place within the private enclosure of the domestic bathroom. It is the only place in many homes where a person—especially children and adolescents—can experience the true privacy needed for physical self-examination. It persists as a space that accepts arousal and sensuality while also providing a sense of safety, comfort, and private experience. These occurrences unconsciously interlace the psyche with the physical site of the bathroom—its sterile nature, soft porcelain fixtures, and cool surfaces—as the transition into adulthood is finalized. 

Particularly for queer and gender nonconforming people who grow up in conservative households, like Anderson-Larson, these experiences play a role in how our body and identity are intertwined. Their work investigates and expands upon these pivotal moments, questioning what it means to have the architectural space of the bathroom intrinsically tied to initial sexual development. By transforming the space itself into a sanctuary for sensual exploration free from outside judgment, their work reveals the importance of early private interactions between the self and the body.

About the Artist:

Krista Anderson-Larson is a visual artist and arts administrator working in Minneapolis, MN. Their sculpture, installation, and video work explores themes related to domestic spaces and sexual identity through materials ranging from found objects to oil paint. Anderson-Larson has received Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support and Artist Initiative grants, and was awarded the Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award in 2016 from the International Sculpture Center in Hamilton, NJ. Their work has been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and has also been featured in several publications including Sculpture magazine and Art in America.

Gallery Hours:

Thursday         11am-6pm
Friday             11am-6pm
Saturday         11am-5pm
Sunday           11am-5pm

Presented alongside: Fast and Loose | Ruthann Godollei and The Unknown Thing that Frees You | Lela Pierce