Gustave Carlson: Heirloom Barns and Forgotten Houses

Gustave Carlson’s body of work is an exploration of the agricultural landscape, with a particular emphasis on barns, agrarian vernacular, and forgotten houses. In his paintings, Carlson creates scenes that feel both familiar and mysterious. His acute awareness of building shapes and perspectives, coupled with his commitment to landscape stewardship, positions his work as a form of documentation. Carlson’s perception of the landscape as a blanket or wallpaper that envelops the surface is vividly translated into his art. His paintings evoke themes of decay, architectural typology, nostalgia, and distinctive color harmonies. Notably, the chairs in his paintings serve as metaphoric representations of the human figure. Carlson’s technique is marked by a juxtaposition of thick, layered applications with thin, less developed areas. Engaging in the simultaneous creation of multiple paintings, Carlson allows for the emergence and overlay of earlier forms, resulting in a palimpsest-like effect known as pentimento. This nuanced interplay between presence and absence is a cornerstone of his artistic comfort zone.

Bio:
Gustave Carlson is the founder and principal of Gustave Carlson Design in Berkeley, California, and a painter. Carlson is the author of “Pacific Modern Houses of Northern California,” published by Oro Publications in 2018. His award-winning architecture has gained widespread recognition, appearing in prestigious publications such as Elle Decor, Dwell, Wallpaper, The New York Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Carlson holds a master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and studied painting at Penn Graduate School of Fine Arts under Adele Alsop. He has participated in artist residency programs including Edgewood Farm at Castle Hill in Truro, Massachusetts, and Studio Faire in Nérac, France. His paintings are privately collected and have been shown nationally including at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Castle Hill Art Gallery, both in Massachusetts, the Tiburon Library Gallery, and Mercury 20 Gallery.

Gallery Hours: Friday and Saturday, 12 – 5 pm (and by appointment)
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 26, 3 – 5 pm
Artists’ Talk: Saturday, May 17, 3 -5 pm
Oakland Art Murmur / First Friday: May 2, 5 – 9 pm

Image: Gustave Carlson, “Launch For Hire”, 2025, Acrylic and graphite on wood panel, 30″ x 40″, photo courtesy of the artist.