Robert Larkin (b. 1960) is an American conceptual artist who divides his time between Ojai, California, and San Casciano dei Bagni, Italy. He holds an MFA from the California College of the Arts and a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, where he was an Osher Merit Scholar.

 

Larkin works across a wide range of media, but he is best known for exploring themes such as anxiety and collective identity with a blend of poignant humor and irony. Whether through 2D, 3D, text, or installation, Robert views his practice as collage-based. While aesthetics, language, and material choices are key elements in his work, the deeper, often self-referential expressions beneath the surface are what the artist invites the viewer to examine. Engaging with Larkin’s art typically evokes the feeling that “it’s all fun and games... until it’s not.”