About

Larry Barns is a contemporary American painter living and working in New York City. Barns’ paintings are thematic, developed from multiple sources, including media, life observations, and states of mind. He attempts to establish an oppositional dialogue by not enforcing a formalistic composition. At times a deliberate attempt is made to disrupt the original intention or theme, and allow the work to partner in resolving the ensuing conflict. Barns works primarily on paper and canvas, utilising charcoal, graphite, acrylics, oils and oil pastels. 

Born on May 8, 1951, in Omaha, NE, Barns later lived in Kansas City, KS. He served in the US military before attending Kansas University in Lawrence, where he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In 1978 Barns was awarded a scholarship to Yale University to pursue his MFA. At Yale, he studied with well-known artists, Elizabeth Murray, Judy Pfaff and Lester Johnson. Barns was the recipient of a Ford Foundation Summer Study grant in 1978. In the 1980s and ‘90s, he was deeply involved in New York’s downtown art scene.

Barns has exhibited in galleries and museums, as well as participating in numerous group shows. His work is in private collections around the US. The work featured here may be viewed by appointment and prices are available upon request.