Biography

Nikolaj Bendix Skyum Larsen uses a variety of materials and media to create work with a deeply humanistic engagement at its core.

While a concern with political and social issues underlies much of his film and video work, Larson's approach remains sensitive, poetic and often humorous.  His work for the 9th Sharjah Biennial was a poignant two-screen video projection titled Rendezvous (2009) in which Indian workers based in Sharjah and their families back in India were projected onto screens at opposite ends of the room. This work was a development on an earlier project Ideal Lad (2005) created while Larsen was a resident artist during the 7th Sharjah Biennial in 2005. Also installed in 2009 was his earlier Inshallah (2005), a neon work spelling out the Arabic invocation 'God willing'.

Larsen’s work has been exhibited widely with solo presentations including at Maison du Danemark, Paris, France (2010 and touring), Kunsten - Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg, Denmark (2004), and group presentations including the upcoming Folkstone Triennial (2011), Tent Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland (2010), Centro Fundacion Telefonica, Lima, Peru (2010), Ny Krop, Øksnehallen, Copenhagen (2009), the Sharjah Biennial (2009),the Badhaus, St.Gallen, Switzerland (2009), University of California, San Diego (2008),  The Jerusalem Show, Al-Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Art, Jerusalem (2007), the Museum of Contemporary Art, Roskilde, Denmark (2007) and La Maison Rouge, Paris, France (2006).

Larsen graduated with a BA in Fine Art Sculpture from Chelsea College of Art, London (1999), and received an MA from the Slade School of Fine Art, London (2001). Born in Denmark in 1971, the artist currently lives and works in London.

October 2010