Joy Painting

Larain Briggs, a British painter, embraces a multi-disciplinary approach in her artistic practice. Born in 1960 and raised in Kent before relocating to London, Briggs currently resides on the East Coast, where she is engaged in doctoral studies in fine art at the University of East London. Inspired by Jungian concepts, her work establishes profound dialogues with the unconscious, employing transformative processes to facilitate individuation. Grounded in Jungian theory, Briggs perceives the contemporary world, marked by radical shifts in philosophy, religion, science, and art, as an archetypal apocalypse, wherein humanity collectively confronts a global catastrophe of uncertain magnitude. Guided by a sense of awe and apprehension towards the escalating complexity of the digital realm, her research delves into the meta-crisis and the digital sublime. Influenced by artists such as Anselm Kiefer and Bill Viola, who share a similar conceptual foundation, as well as theorists Huston Smith and Simon Morely, Briggs' artistic exploration unfolds within a rich tapestry of diverse influences. Briggs' painting is imbued with the influence of digital media, incorporating elements of AI, VR, and photomanipulation to shape its content. Briggs expands her creative practice by venturing into installation, video, and assemblage, interrogating the boundaries between frame, surface, and three-dimensional space. Drawing inspiration from the works of artists Sarah Sze and Matthew Ritchie, she delves into the intricacies of these artistic dimensions. This multidimensional approach enriches the depth and scope of her artistic expression. Briggs' artistic journey commenced with a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine art from Camberwell College of Arts in the 1980s. Since then, she has extensively exhibited her work, augmenting her practice through immersive studies in Computer Aided Visualisation, Art Education, Psychology, and Art Therapy. These educational pursuits, pursued at institutions such as Goldsmiths, the University of East Anglia, and the Institute for Art in Therapy and Education, have contributed to the evolution of her artistic practice, imbuing it with diverse perspectives and methodologies.