Growing 1981 Larry Rivers [best] May 2026

"Growing" (1981) is an experimental video project by artist Larry Rivers documenting his daughters from childhood to their mid-teens, which became the subject of intense ethical and legal controversy due to its content [1]. Following attempts to sell the tapes, the artist's daughter, Emma Tamburlini, publicly denounced the work as exploitative and sought its destruction, leading to its refusal by NYU [1]. The case is widely cited in debates concerning the boundaries of transgressive art and the protection of minors, according to reports from the New York Times and Vanity Fair.

. The project is most notable for its explicit documentation of his teenage daughters' physical development through puberty, a work that has faced intense criticism and accusations of exploitation. The Video Series growing 1981 larry rivers

While Growing is a video work, it reflects Rivers' lifelong obsession with the human figure and "unfashionable" subjects. His style—often described by The Art Story as a bridge between and Pop Art —frequently used "iconographic clichés" and personal imagery to challenge established norms. "Growing" (1981) is an experimental video project by

Growing (1981) is not Larry Rivers’ most famous painting, nor his most radical. But it may be one of his most honest. It offers no grand narrative, no pop-culture provocation—just a man in his late fifties watching a plant spread across a table, recognizing in its unruly, imperfect reach his own stubborn commitment to making art. His style—often described by The Art Story as

It is within this mature, reflective context that we encounter . At first glance, the title suggests nature, biology, or the wholesome passage of time. But in the hands of Larry Rivers, "growing" is a loaded, ironic, and deeply visceral concept. This article explores the history, formal qualities, and thematic depth of this lesser-known but crucial work, revealing why Growing remains a pivotal piece in understanding Rivers’ late-career genius.