Rebecca Sexton Larson: The Reluctant Caregiver

Rebecca Sexton Larson: The Reluctant Caregiver by Aline SmithsonFebruary 26, 2024

©Rebecca Sexton Larson, Idiom Series: Every Picture Tells A Story, 2018

I first encountered the work of Rebecca Sexton Larson when I saw the above image in an exhibition at at Cassilhaus. I filed the photograph away in my memory as a particular favorite. This past fall, I had the wonderful experience to attend the Slow Exposures Photo Festival, in Zebulon, GA and was thrilled to meet Larson and her work at the portfolio reviews. She shared a new project, The Reluctant Caregiver, that is not only is a wonderful expression of family dynamics, memory, and storytelling, but has all the elements of a good detective story, complete with insights from a psychic.

©Rebecca Sexton Larson, Pecan Trees

The Reluctant Caregiver

“The Reluctant Caregiver” originated from my relationship with my mother – and the curiosity of whether I may have any siblings that were never mentioned, such as a brother, sister, or twin. Growing up in a military family, my parents were not always forthcoming about the past. Although friends and family have often playfully teased me about being an only child, I never thought much of it until I was given a gift card for a session with a well-known psychic medium.

“The answers are in the photographs,” is what I was told about a collection of worn photos found among my late father’s personal belongings. Months before my psychic reading, I had scanned the photos, and filed them away, sharing them with no one and not thinking about them. Until, the psychic describes in detail the images, including specific scenes and clothing. Intrigued, I embarked on a quest to uncover my history through the identities of unknown ancestors, navigating family secrets and lost memories.

2_SextonLarson_ We Are The House of Stories

©Rebecca Sexton Larson, We Are The House of Stories

As the sole caregiver for my aging parents, I recognize the importance of preserving family photographs as tangible memories. But, exploring family histories is a lot like opening Pandora’s box—you don’t know what’s going to come out once you begin the search, and findings cannot always be returned to the box. Discoveries may strengthen your sense of family connection but can also reveal distressing stories, heartbreaking experiences, and buried secrets.

“The Reluctant Caregiver” illustrates family dynamics past and present, patterns of interactions among relatives, their roles in the family, and the various factors that shape our relationships. The one-of-a-kind, handpainted, and sewn works piece together fragmented elements to form a cohesive entity through the examination of family photographs, letters, and other materials. – Rebecca Sexton Larson

©Rebecca Sexton Larson, The Twin

Rebecca Sexton Larson always knew that art would be a central part of her life. Growing up as an only child in a military family, she experienced frequent relocations but found solace in art, which was a constant wherever her family landed. Fortunately, her father’s decision to prolong their stay in one place allowed her to pursue her studies at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. during high school.

In Tampa, Larson earned a degree in Fine Arts (painting) from the University of South Florida. Later, at her father’s encouragement, she added a degree in Mass Communications (photojournalism). Although her father wanted her to pursue a more traditional career, she followed her passion for art and photography.

Upon graduation, Larson utilized her photography degree to work as a photographer with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and as a medical photographer for the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Eventually, she made the transition to becoming a full-time artist, specializing in large hand-painted black and white pinhole photographs.

Throughout her career, Larson has achieved significant recognition for her work. She was honored with Florida Individual Artist Fellowships in 1998, 2002, and 2008, and received an Artist Enhancement Grant from the State of Florida in 2006. Additionally, Larson was commissioned by the City of Tampa to serve as Photographer Laureate for a year in 2005, documenting the city with a pinhole camera.

Her photographs are in numerous significant collections throughout the country, including Polaroid; Progressive Corporate Art; Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young); Polk Museum of Art (Lakeland); Cassilhaus (Durham, NC); Museum of Fine Arts (St. Petersburg); the Tampa Museum of Art (Tampa); Historical Museum (Santa Fe); and Candela Gallery (Richmond, VA). Many of her one-of-a-kind works are in private collections.

Instagram: @sextonlarson