Behind the Scenes with Rosson Crow

ABOVE: ROSSON CROW. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF VESPA.

Although Los Angeles-based artist Rosson Crow might be known for her large-scale paintings rife with theatrical and historical allusions, the SVA and Yale graduate can now add film to her oeuvre. For her current exhibition at Honor Fraser, Crow made a series of paintings as well as a feature film entitled Madame Psychosis, both of which depict a fictionalized historical narrative through the exploration of a mysterious babushka woman who witnessed and filmed John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Crow began 2015 with the goal of making a film, and within eight months, she did just that—plus the paintings.

“I was so inspired by it that I just wanted to keep going. It was both the most stressful thing I have done, as well as the most creatively fulfilling,” the artist says. “For me the film really allows for these large-scale paintings, that I have always viewed as highly theatrical worlds one can enter, to be pushed further into three dimensions and become fully inhabitable spaces.”

Crow’s exhibition “Madame Psychosis Holds a Séance” will be open through next Saturday, December 19 and here we are pleased to exclusively host a behind the scenes look at the film’s development. In the video, she discusses the making of Madame Psychosis, the inspiration behind the main character (played by actress Kelly Lynch), and more. “Filmmaking is so collaborative, and it was amazing to work with all these other artists, to have them help me create my vision, each with their own area of expertise,” she continues. “Coming from a very solitary studio painting practice, this was a huge shift. But it was so enjoyable, I can’t wait to do it again!”

FOR MORE ON ROSSON CROW’S DEVELOPMENTS, FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM, AND FOR MORE ON JEFF VESPA, FOLLOW HIS.