About
Artist Statement
I merge photography, painting, and installation to create vibrant, immersive experiences. My recursive process cycles through these mediums, beginning with altar-like installations of photos, paint, and found objects. I photograph them with hyperreal lighting to alter perception, then paint over or reintegrate them into new assemblages. This layering of perspectives and materials deepens engagement with the subject, creating dynamic, multidimensional works.
Bio
Chris Lael Larson is an artist living in Portland, Oregon, best known for blurring the lines between photography, painting, and installation. He got his start blending live experimental music and video and toured extensively before refocusing on visual art in 2021. His current work has been described as a contemporary kind of Fauvist-inspired Cubism, emphasizing depth, layered perspectives, and bold use of color. He has shown visual work in Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR.
Select Exhibitions
2025
Cascades
October
Solo Exhibition
Stumptown Downtown, Portland, OR
Negatives
September
Solo Exhibition
Purple Door, Portland, OR
Glean Portland
April
Group Exhibition / Residency Show
Glean, Portland, OR
Negatives
February
Site Specific Installation
Studio e / The Vatican, Seattle, WA
Echo Locator
January
Group Exhibition
Field Projects, New York, NY
2024
Cascades
November 7-30
Solo Exhibition
Blue Sky Oregon Center for Photographic Arts, Portland, OR
Sitka Art Invitational
October 18-20
Group Exhibition
Oregon Contemporary, Portland, OR
Composition / Decomposition
July 11 - 28
Group Exhibition
Soil, Seattle, OR
Beginner Nudes
July 11 - August 17
Solo Exhibition
Specialist, Seattle, OR
Magdanele
Video / Performance
In collaboration with Emilie Sabath
Redcat, Los Angeles, CA
International Free
June 29
Group Exhibition
Gul Gallery, Portland, OR
Beginner Nudes
Site Specific Installation
Content, Portland, OR
Bowers
Group Exhibition
Spring / Break Art Show, Los Angeles, CA
MÉLANGE
Group Exhibition
Nationale, Portland, OR
Beginner Nudes
Solo Exhibition
Fine Art Fruit, Portland, OR
Painting Over Photos of the Mall
Solo Exhibition
Never Lab, Portland, OR
2023
Going Steady
Group Exhibition
Carnation Contemporary, Portland, OR
A Very Queer Thing
Group Exhibition
Well Well Projects, Portland, OR
Painting Over Photos of the Mall
Solo Exhibition
Family Photo Studio, Portland, OR
Friends of Friends
Group Exhibition
Seattle Art Fair / Blue Sky, Seattle, WA
Friends of Friends
Group Exhibition
Carnation Contemporary, Portland, OR
Product Flows
Solo Exhibition
Carnation Contemporary, Portland, OR
Discarded Paintings
Solo Exhibition
Albina Press, Portland, OR
Chair
Group Exhibition
Home Gallery, Portland, OR
Sou’Wester Arts Week
Group Exhibition / Residency
Sou’Wester Arts, Longbeach, OR
Pacific Northwest Drawers
Group Exhibition
Blue Sky, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, Portland, OR
Unlearning
Group Exhibition
Family Photo Studio, Portland, OR
2022
Smart Objects / Flattened Images
Group Exhibition
Well Well Projects, Portland, OR
Second Light
Solo Photo Exhibition / Album Release
Half Court, Portland, OR
Light Conversation
Group Photography Show
Oregon Contemporary, Portland, Oregon
Sou’Wester Arts Week
Solo Exhibition / Residency
Longbeach, WA
2021
Cape Disappointment
Book Release / Exhibition
Half Court, Portland, OR
2020
Magdanele
Video / Performance
In collaboration with Emilie Sabath
Prototype, New York, NY
2019
45
Photography (Group Show)
Laundry, Portland, OR
2016
Yourself Through Others
Video Installation (Solo Show)
Wieden + Kennedy Gallery, Portland, OR
Pure Surface
Video Installation / Performance
Valentines, Portland, OR
2015
Magic Gardens
Group Exhibition
One Grand Gallery, Portland, OR
2014
Real People
Video Installation (Group Show)
Ace Hotel / The Cleaners, Portland, OR
2012
Alone With Others
Video Installation (Group Show)
Work Sound Gallery, Portland, OR
2011
Spirit Up
Video Installation
Portland Museum of Art NW Film Center, Portland, OR
2010
Blanket
Video Installation
Portland Institute of Contemporary Art TBA Festival, Portland, OR
2009
Photos and Photo Animations
Photography / Video Installation (Solo Show)
Igloo Gallery, Portland, OR
Nature Church
Video Installation / Performance
Ford Building, Portland, OR
2008
Have Nothing to Say
Performance / Video (Festival)
Portland Institute of Contemporary Art TBA Festival, Portland, OR
Naturalia
Video Installation
Berkeley Art Museum, Berkeley, CA
2007
Endless Ocean Endless Sky
Video Installation / Performance
In collaboration with Tahni Holt
Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR