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Carolyn Reed Barritt

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Contemporary artist Carolyn Reed Barritt's latest collection of paintings on canvas and paper, "Life is Elsewhere," draws significant inspiration from the vibrant hues and dynamic gestures of postwar gestural painters. This includes the influence of renowned artists like Willem de Kooning, known for his expressive brushwork and intense color palette, and Joan Mitchell, whose energetic, abstract compositions capture emotional landscapes. The collection also reflects the influence of Franz Kline's bold, sweeping black and white forms, as well as Helen Frankenthaler's pioneering soak-stain technique, which creates luminous, atmospheric effects​.

Barritt's Life is Elsewhere evokes a sense of searching and introspection. This theme reflects in her artwork, where she explores the boundaries between internal and external worlds. Fueled by natural curiosity and feelings of awkwardness and isolation, Barritt's paintings read like intimate, mysterious personal poems. In a blend of tradition and technology, Barritt inputs elements of traditional art into AI algorithms to generate unique, serendipitous imagery. This process allows the AI to reinterpret classical styles and allows Barritt to explore the concept of beauty by creating new artwork that echos the past while embracing contemporary aesthetics. This innovative approach highlights her ability to bridge the gap between historical art forms and modern technology, bringing fresh perspectives to timeless themes.

Born and raised in rural Minnesota, Barritt received her BA in Art from Macalester College. She has exhibited her artwork nationally, including at BoxHeart Gallery in Pittsburgh, Site:Brooklyn in New York, and the Alexandria Museum of Art in Louisiana. Her artwork has also appeared on television, including Netflix's "Bloodline," where her paintings added depth to the set design​.

Barritt's artwork is featured in several public and private collections, such as the Henry Ford Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. She lives and works in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she continues to create and exhibit her artwork​.

portfolio.jpg View images from Carolyn Reed Barritt's 2024 exhibition Life is Elsewhere.

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