Sara Larkin

Sara Larkin
Born 1946 (age 70–71)
Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality United States
Alma mater University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Movement space art
Website saralarkin.com

Sara Larkin (born 1946) is an American painter who gained national attention for "Spacescapes" — a series of paintings celebrating America's achievements in space.[1]

Biography

Sara Larkin was born in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1946.[2] She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where she developed a lifelong association with Will Barnet. After graduation she continued her education in Japan under the sponsorship of the philosopher and advisor to the Emperor of Cultural Affairs and President of Osei University, Tetsuo Tanikawa. Under his tutelage she became acquainted with Nobel Laureate, Yasunari Kawabata, and other notable Japanese people.[3] She spent a year in Bangkok, Thailand as the Women's and Social Editor of The Bangkok World. In Hong Kong, she studied Chinese art with the artist [Lui Shou-Kwan, and Lawrence Tam, the Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. She also spent this time in Hong Kong, as a gallery owner, consultant, and artists’ agent.[4] In 1971 she became Mrs. Richard Lacey and in 1974 his widow.

In 1974 under the auspices of the Hong Kong Arts Festival she, with her husband, organized its first exhibition of contemporary Chinese Art.[5] She produced Shui-mo (Water and Ink) which discusses the status of the contemporary state of the Chinese painting tradition in the 20th century.[6]

From 1977 until 2002 Larkin maintained a studio/gallery in Washington, D.C. and developed her skills and reputation as a professional artist.[7] In 1992 she moved to Annapolis, Maryland, where she served as Artist in Residence at St. John's College as well as continued in her duties as professional artist and dealer.[8] Until it was discontinued, in 2003, Larkin was a Sotheby Associate evaluating works of art for online auctions.

Larkins paintings gained national attention with "Spacescapes"— a continuing series of paintings celebrating America's achievements in space.[9] She researched these paintings by working directly with astronauts, such as General Thomas P. Stafford and Admiral Richard Truly, and scientists at NASA and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

In 2009, Larkin visited Morocco. She became increasingly interested in the female form; both through belly dancing (which she learned there and described as "exercise designed for to accentuate the female body") and the prevalence of Burkas in Muslim societies. This shift in her focus is represented in her later works, including "Mrs. Potato Head" and "I Spy", a series of photographs taken of pebbles and ridges in the sand which she said evoked silhouettes of women in burkas.

Awards and distinctions

Larkin has been awarded a special commendation from the Governor of Hong Kong and the U.S. Consulate for special contributions toward East-West cultural understanding. In 1976, she was a lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution on Modern Chinese Art, a field in which she has gained acknowledged scholarship.[10] She was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Artist Fellowship in 1981. Also in the 80's she was commissioned by NASA as one of the nation's artists commissioned to document the U.S. Space Program.

Exhibits by year

References

  1. ↑ Dillon, Wilton (January 30, 2015). Smithsonian Stories: Chronicle of a Golden Age, 1964-1984 (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 104–106. ISBN 1412854598. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  2. ↑ Mitchell, Henry (June 16, 1978). "An Artistic Education Of Ginger Jars and Zen". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  3. ↑ "Influences". Sara Larkin. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  4. ↑ "Lü Shoukun 1919-1975". Sotheby's. Sotheby's. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  5. ↑ "Lü Shoukun 1919-1975". Sotheby's. Sotheby's. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  6. ↑ Dillon, Wilton (January 30, 2015). Smithsonian Stories: Chronicle of a Golden Age, 1964-1984 (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 104–106. ISBN 1412854598. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Henry (June 16, 1978). "An Artistic Education Of Ginger Jars and Zen". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  8. ↑ Johnson, Mary (April 7, 2006). "Annapolis art scene's new player". The Baltimore Sun. Tronc. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  9. ↑ Dillon, Wilton (January 30, 2015). Smithsonian Stories: Chronicle of a Golden Age, 1964-1984 (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 104–106. ISBN 1412854598. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  10. ↑ "Javits, Agronsky Attend SI Event" (PDF). Smithsonian Institution Archives. The Smithsonian Torch. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
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