Recognize Me In Everything

Opening Reception: Thursday, June 4th- 6-11PM

Europa Gallery is pleased to present Recognize Me In Everything, a solo exhibition by Seattle based artist Lars Bergquist, featuring a new body of oil paintings and installation work. Marking his first solo exhibition in 10 years, this show reflects on Bergquist’s return to Seattle after six years spent in Los Angeles and the emotional and environmental shifts that accompanied that transition. Set against the backdrop of Seattle landmarks and its surrounding landscapes.

Recognize me in Everything delves into ones own relationship with memories painted by nostalgia. Through Bergquist’s distinctly troupe l’oil style, he reimagines urban landscapes into something deeply autobiographical. Weaving together the unique relationship between identity and place. While living in Los Angeles, Bergquist was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy. A deeply profound experience that forever changed his relationship with what was and what remained. Upon returning to Seattle he was confronted with a city and self that felt simultaneously familiar and transformed.

With this newfound acute awareness between permanence and change Bergquist posed a series of questions to friends and loved ones : “When I pass will you remember me? How will you remember me? What triggers thoughts of me in your mind?”. The responses to these questions became the conceptual framework for many of the works presented in this exhibition.

Lars Bergquist (b.1977) is a Seattle-based artist from Whidbey Island and Cordova Alaska. He holds a B.F.A. from Washington State University. His works have been displayed in Los Angeles institutions, Subliminal Projects, Charlie James Gallery and The Hole. Created works for Art Basel and Frieze Art Fair. He’s worked with National Geographic, Campaign For Nature and Amplifier Foundation. His work has been shown in Juxtapoz Magazine and Art Forum.