Memories in motion

A car can be a way to get somewhere. It can also be a reminder of who you were when you drove it.

Karen Barrow’s automotive practice is rooted in that connection. Born in Detroit and raised in East Lansing, she grew up near Michigan’s automotive industry. Family weekends at Sebring brought racing into that world of everyday cars and personal memories.

Her work brings cars into a different kind of space: one where a grille, a familiar shape, or a racing livery can recall an experience. The subject is automotive, but the connection belongs to the viewer.

“Memories are passengers in our cars.”— Karen Barrow

When you browse, start with the work that makes you pause. It might be a car you recognize, a color that draws you in, or a memory you had not thought about in years.