Andrea Carlson

Visual Artist

2020 Make a Wave

Visual Arts

Andrea Carlson (Ojibwe, b. 1979) is a visual artist and writer who currently lives in Potawatomi land (Zhegagoynak/Chicago). Through painting and drawing, Carlson often draws objects and landscapes that cannot be possessed. Her current research activities include museum studies and cultural assimilation metaphors in film. Her work has been acquired by institutions such as the Walker Art Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the National Gallery of Canada. Carlson has received fellowships from the Joan Mitchell Foundation (2017), Chicago Artadia Award (2021), and is a recent USA Artists fellow (2022).

Andrea Carlson's Website

Featured Artworks

Long Weekend is a two-paneled work. The background of the work features a seemingly moving body of water with rocks and cliffs off the side. At the top of the image is a black planet, a satellite, and camera. The image has the text “week-end” in blue on o

Long Weekend (2011) 44"x60", mixed media on paper.

Cannibal Holocaust is a vibrant work with multicolored elements. There are animals on each side of the image.

Cannibal Holocaust (2008) 44"x60", graphite, Prismacolor pencil, Ink & other media on paper.

A four paneled work reading “Apocalypse Domani” in the center. The work features a train emerging from the left side of the image, additional machinery, and natural landscapes with red water and multicolor mountainous figures.

Apocalypse Domani (2010) 44"x60", oil, gouache, graphite, Prismacolor & ink on paper.

The work reads “exit” at the top. Two raised hands emerge from a multicolored landscape. Two other hands appear from the left and right and appear to be holding something.

Exit (2019) 34” x 47”, 20-layer screen print with Highpoint Editions, Minneapolis, MN.

The work reads “Anti-Retro” in white lettering in the center of the composition. Multicolored waves appear on the left and right sides. A white, horse like figure emerges from dark water.

Anti-Retro (2018) 34” x 47”, 20-layer screen print with Highpoint Editions, Minneapolis, MN.

The work reads “Sunshine on a Cannibal” in white lettering in the center of the composition. This multicolor work features a landscape with smoke emerging from the ground. Vibrant reds, blues, and oranges color different objects.

Sunshine on a Cannibal (2015) 4’x15’, acrylic, ink, oil, gauche, watercolor, colored pencil, marker and graphite on paper.

Images in Ink Babel create an upside-down triangle in the composition. Images are place 10 by 6 and feature spacecrafts, satellites, and elephants in two toned landscapes.

Ink Babel (2013-2015) 10’x14’, ink and oil on paper.

Black and white zigzag lines wrap around the image. In the center is a landscape with white clouds and seemingly roaring water.

The Tempest (2008) 8’x10’, each, acrylic, ink, oil, gauche, watercolor, colored pencil, marker and graphite on paper.