Kevin Paulsen
ARTIST STATEMENT
History records for us an imagined past in which all civilizations perish. Art history and science describe cultural remnants as fact.
Our shared sentiment of collective memory we call human history. History makes us feel better, but only serves up the proof that all human imaginings are perishable.
Mankind repeats one simple narrative in myriad form: A Man comes to town, a set of circumstances change the man; man leaves town. Artists continue to reinvent this basic narrative structure...and mankind will continue to know himself as unique to this universe
No matter the format, we tell again and again our story, therein lies the purpose of our brief existence.
I attempt to make beautiful and timeless paintings that tell this collectively shared narrative substrate.
BIOGRAPHY
Kevin Paulsen is a contemporary American artist whose practice spans painting, mural work, and socially engaged imagery. His ongoing Mercenary Series began as a response to the fatal ICE-related violence in Minnesota.
His work has been exhibited and collected widely and is currently represented by Nantucket House Interior Design Studios (Beach Street, Nantucket, MA), Michael Mitchell Inc. (King Street, Charleston, SC), and Eric Firestone Gallery (New York City, East Hampton, and Miami).
Kevin Paulsen, Left to Decay in the Garden, 2026, (Mercenary series), Spray paint on paper atop an image of antique textile, 9” x 14"
Kevin Paulsen, Discarded Redux, 2026 (Mercenary series), Spray paint on paper atop antique wallpaper, 8” x 7"
Kevin Paulsen, A Mothers Final Protection, 2026 (Mercenary series), Spray paint on paper atop antique wallpaper image
Kevin Paulsen, Murder by Mercenary, 2026, (Mercenary series), Spray paint on paper atop antique wall paper image
Kevin Paulsen, Mercenary in the Orchard, 2026, (Mercenary series), Spray paint on paper atop antique wallpaper