Senior BFA exhibition explores mental health, trans experience

What is the value of self-portraiture? What is the point of depicting yourself in art?

Central Washington University art student Lars Kent asks those questions of himself in his senior exhibition, “Better Self,” in which he invites others to witness his own journey for an answer, especially in the context of transsexuality and living with depression.

The opening reception for "Better Self" will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday, May 18, in Gallery 231 in Randall Hall. The exhibit will run through Friday, May 22. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

It is often understood that through art, depiction gives something value. Kent explores using self-portraiture in painting to reflect what the self is worth and can look like, especially while going through medical and social gender transition.

“For the past three years, painting had become a way for me to both understand and express my experiences of being a queer man through self-portraiture,” the artist explains.

Kent will be giving an accompanying SOURCE presentation about his exhibition and body of work. His presentation, “Better Self: Transition Through Self-Portraiture,” will take place in SURC 201 on Wednesday, May 20, at 1:45 p.m.

See more of Kent’s art at @larskent on Instagram.

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Photo: Portrait of a Man Looking Forward, 2026, oil on canvas, 24 x 18”