Lost Lake
Chris Lael Larson
February 7 – March 1, 2026
Opening Reception
Saturday, February 7, 5–8 PMOpen Hours
Sat-Sun 12-5 pmdrop in or by appointment
Email info@carnationcontemporary.com
to schedule a visit
EXHIBITION
Lost Lake brings together photography, painting, and sculpture to explore the landscape of Lost Lake in Oregon’s Mt. Hood National Forest. The work emerges from a cyclical process in which photographs become materials for assemblage and sculpture, incorporating acrylic, shaped wood, mirror, and crystal elements. Reflective surfaces create subtle feedback loops that echo recursive patterns found in both nature and the artist’s practice.ARTIST
Chris Lael Larson (b. Ohio, USA) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Portland, Oregon. Working across photography, painting, sculpture, and installation, Larson is known for dissolving the boundary between the photographic and the painterly, creating works defined by layered perspectives, vibrant color, and an emphasis on depth. His practice centers on constructing temporary, altar-like installations from photographs, paint, found objects, and natural elements, which he then captures in a hyperreal lighting style. These photographs often become canvases themselves, painted upon and reintegrated into new works alongside their original source materials.Larson’s work engages viewers through the interplay of multiple viewpoints and the physical presence of material elements, creating a deeper, more tactile connection. Characterized by complexity and intentional layering, his practice challenges the boundaries between media and form. His 2024 installation Beginner Nudes at Spring/Break LA was a breakthrough project, presenting an immersive environment that dissolved divisions between painting, photography, sculpture, and installation. The work’s success led to consecutive exhibitions, reinforcing his position as an artist pushing interdisciplinary dialogue in contemporary practice.
Chris Lael Larson has exhibited at the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Carnation Contemporary, and Nationale (Portland); Specialist (Seattle); Field Projects (New York); and Red Cat (Los Angeles). His work is held in notable collections including Soho House Portland and the collection of Christopher Rauschenberg. He has participated in Spring/Break LA, the Seattle Art Fair, the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, and programs with the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
chrislaellarson.com
IG: @chris_lael_larson