Lars Palsgraaf (1999) sees identity as a crucial cornerstone of our society. The development and various stages of identity formation deeply fascinate him. He is particularly drawn to how identity is shaped in early childhood and later evolves into a more defined sense of self. On this path of personal development, there are countless routes one can take. In his view, these processes and the paths people eventually choose are often overlooked, especially when it comes to different subcultures.
Although there appears to be growing attention to the theme of identity, Lars observes that many groups become lost among the numerous possible directions within the broader societal context. He senses a false sense of safety in this development where we walk blindly through a forest without truly seeing where we are. Lars questions where identity issues surface, and whether they are even visible to society at large.
As a gay man, Lars experiences the diversity and impact of these paths firsthand. He has encountered various forms of addiction, such as drug use and sex addiction, and has seen how extreme social constructs have become normalized within certain subgroups. He observes how sustaining each other’s dependencies can be perceived as a form of connection: a kind of kinship that is difficult to find elsewhere. These psychological mechanisms are complex and reflect a deep desire for recognition and inclusion within a highly diverse community.
In his artistic practice, Lars applies various research methods, such as analysing children’s drawings—including those of his twin brother and individuals from the gay community. This approach brings him closer to the essence of both individual and collective choices. By actively engaging with different layers of the gay community, he re-experiences these paths as both observer and participant, and visually reflects on what he encounters.
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A childlike visual approach is essential to Lars’s practice not only because identity formation begins at a young age, but also because this perspective enables him to work from a place of openness. His work seamlessly blends the formal with the intuitive, enabling him to approach his subjects with a fluid and honest manner.
Lars’s aim is not necessarily to reach definitive conclusions. Instead, he seeks to create starting points for reflection, emotion, or conversation—for himself and others. In doing so, he raises awareness not only about the visibility of the gay community but also about the broader theme of personal identity development. Through his work, he aims to shed light on the often invisible paths people walk, paths where individuals search, stumble, and sometimes get lost. These hidden trails, he believes, deserve recognition and representation. By creating, reflecting, and exploring together, Lars hopes to increase visibility, foster awareness, and perhaps offer space in which solutions can begin to take shape. In this way, his work engages with broader social questions.
The issues Lars explores are not exclusive to the gay community. Everyone is engaged in some form of identity development and the accompanying struggles. While these challenges may manifest differently across various groups, Lars believes that open dialogue and the visibility of loneliness, exclusion, or unacknowledged emotions can foster connection and raise awareness of these invisible issues. Recognition and openness, he feels, create space for empathy and perhaps even for self-acceptance.
Lars does not confine himself to specific materials or media. Instead, he allows the material and process to guide him. This has thus far resulted in paintings and sculptures, often incorporating figurative elements. He finds himself in constant search, trying to abstract the figurative or, conversely, reshape the abstract into something recognisable. This duality compels him to engage with both the rational and the incomprehensible, reflecting a similar tension present in the lives of many within the gay community. By allowing his work to be both logical and elusive, Lars creates space for both direction and openness. For him, this is an essential way to initiate dialogue and potentially foster meaningful change.
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​Exhibitions
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Group Exhibitions
- 2025 July St Joost, breda; 'Climbing Through Welded Windows'
- 2025 February De fabriek, Eindhoven; 'Arca Nera'
- 2024 Club solo, Breda; ’tussen land’
- 2023 Breda; ‘Wij Zijn, Zei Hun’
- 2019 Groningen; Fotogalerie Lichtzone
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Education
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2022 - Art and Research - AKV St. Joost of Art & Design, Breda
2020 - 2021 Photography - Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten / Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK)
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