(From "Team Franc", about "Childplay")
The paintings in the Childplay series by Livia Claesson let us look at the contents of a toy box. A collection of drawings, dolls, puzzles, balloon figures and the like that have been moved to the attic over the years. Memories of a carefree childhood, when life was an adventure, full of color and possibilities. Yet Claesson's representation of those remains from a past childhood seems colored by a wry interpretation, and cigarettes and wine arouse suspicions about binge drinking. Completing her studies raised questions about her childhood and the way in which child play is, in fact, a preparation for adulthood. “Give a child a baby doll, and it will take care of it in the way its mother has shown.” Thus play is replaced by obligations, impulsivity by thorough analysis. Is play something to be banned or is there a way for a symbiosis between the child and the adult?

The Swedish-Italian Livia Claesson (1997) graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. In her work she explores the influence of childhood, the subconscious and repressed memories on her way and style of working.

Paul Brouns about his choice for Livia Claesson

What struck me about Livia Claesson's paintings is the combination of motifs that recall childhood, such as toys, puzzles, children's drawings and balloons. Despite the sometimes wry undertones, the work sparkles with playful making fun. The bittersweet taste and the black humor, I think, come from the gray shadow edges on the fresh colors of the toys, sometimes with grim looks. As a result, in the works of this series "adult life" often coincides with the playful impulsiveness of a child.






Education

2016-2017: Preparatory Course, The Royal Academy of Art of The Hague, The Netherlands
2017-2021: Bachelor of Fine Arts, The Royal Academy of Art of The Hague, The Netherlands


Exhibitions

2022 - (Upcoming) Art Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2022 - (Upcoming) Expositie Niewe Leden Arti Shock, Rijswijk, Netherlands
2021 - Kunstkado, Artishock, Rijswijk, Netherlands
2021 - Team Franc, Almere, Netherlands
2021 - Graduation Show, The Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, Netherlands
2020 - A Finger in Every Pie, Susan Bites, The Hague, Netherlands
2019 - Deep Fried Paintings, The Hague, Netherlands
Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Livia (1997) is a half Swedish and half Italian visual artist with the main focus in painting. She graduated with a bachelor of Fine Arts from The Royal Academy of The Hague in 2021 and currently still resides in South Holland.