Larry Madrigal

Arizona State University

Eye Exam and Tangled Viewpoints, 2019
oil on canvas, 60 x 48 inches

Tell us about the work that you have submitted.
When I painted Eye Exam and Tangled Viewpoints, I was interested in the idea of perception, fear, and vulnerability within the context of everyday life.

How would you describe your studio practice?
My paintings are expressions of how I see the world as a meaningful and precarious venture. I am interested in the daily rhythms of life and how they are entangled with dramatic themes. Ordinary routines are infused with issues of identity, worldview, and responsibility. I see the commonplace as an arena for sacred reflection on the complex nature of being, and a platform to explore painting's ability to promote empathy and wonder.

What themes regularly resurface in your work?
The constant balancing of personal, social, and creative expectations has been a central theme for me. The feeling of trying to keep up with responsibilities, political issues, social media, and family is complicated. My work has been gradually surrendering to the effects that these chaotic demands have on my paint handling and image-making.

Website: www.larrymadrigal.com
Instagram: @larrymadrigal