How Gunilla Larsson Is Helping To Make the Entertainment Industry More Diverse and Representative

An Interview With Guernslye Honoré

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See that you get paid. For example, once I rented a truck. Went to Italy with all the paintings. My daughter. I had to bring assistance and a bodyguard. That was the deal….. I had to pay for everything….. Cars, gas, assistant, musician, dancer.

As a part of my series about leaders helping to make the entertainment industry more diverse and representative, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Gunilla Larsson.

Award-winning Gunilla Larsson is creating multidimensional art shows with paintings, film, music, dance, perfume and wine. The message is spiritual and uplifting, to open hearts using different media, dancers and musicians. A members club “Art for Earth” is created to open up for networking during the show — to help create a positive future with more respect, peace and love.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I have been a dancer, taking training at the Swedish academy of ballet and another school for artists. I participated at a theater with many different shows like can-can, musical and jazz.

I have always liked to be creative. Making clothes for me and my kids. I loved to paint and 2007–2010 I did training in Vedic Art. (I am also a teacher in Vedic art).

In 2012 I participated in an expo in Monaco, GemlucArt where I won the prize of the jury. The price was to work with a gallery in Nice. Like this I started to live in the South of France. I usually create big paintings in nature. As I lived in Grasse, the city of perfumes, I created my own perfumes. Since 2015 I have been communicating with Christ which gives me images and messages that I use.

When I mixed all my passions it became a show where I have paintings that I filmed in nature. A dancer to express the message. A musician. A perfume. Clothes. And now the last time I also used wine from Tuscany.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

In my career as a dancer I was invited to dance in North Korea which was a very strange experience.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

With my art at one of my first expos at the airport in Nice. I was asked to dance at the opening. I had the music on 2 different backup plans. Finally none of them worked. So I danced without any music. And this made me meet my French fiancee who was impressed by my courage :)

I learned to check everything before the show…… Film, light, sound, smoke.

Ok, thank you for all that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our discussion. Can you describe how you are helping to make popular culture more representative of the US population?

I would love to have my multidimensional art show in the US. With big paintings. Filmed in different locations. Expressing that ALL is ONE for example. Using dancers from different ethnicities. Music connected to this. A dream is also to have an already famous big artist in the show. With my art printed on clothes as a fashion show. In the end we will have a big party. It could be outdoors on a warm summer-night.

Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by the work you are doing?

My daughter Elvira who I have used as a dancer. She practiced dancing using youtube videos. She has been to my show in Monaco, France and Italy. This has made her grow.

I have had several people coming after saying they were really touched and surprised. They felt harmony and happiness.

I have my friend Jim McCarthy, drummer in the group Yardbirds. He played drums in my show and got a bomber-jacket with my art print.

As an insider, this might be obvious to you, but I think it’s instructive to articulate this for the public who might not have the same inside knowledge. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why it’s really important to have diversity represented in Entertainment and its potential effects on our culture?

I love to use different kinds of music. I have used hip-hop, didgeridoo, flute, gong, Michael Bouble’ , drums. To share different experiences. Make people realize that maybe they appreciate the unexpected. What they usually don’t listen to. It helps to reflect the world we live in.

The same with dance. I have used jazz-dance, K-pop, oriental, sufi. I would love to use African and Indian dance and music. To make people appreciate different cultures. Feel curiosity for them all and connection. The joy connects people from various backgrounds, cultures, races. People feel included.

From a business perspective, diverse representation can broaden the appeal of entertainment products. As the audience becomes more diverse it can lead to increased viewership.

I would love to affect people with power, to open their hearts.

Can you recommend three things the community/society/the industry can do to help address the root of the diversity issues in the entertainment business?

Promote inclusive hiring: Entertainment companies can prioritize diversity at all levels.

Promote positive portrayals of underrepresented groups in the media. Diverse storytelling.

Collaborate with schools to develop diversity and inclusion in arts and entertainment.

How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?

The ability to inspire, influence, and guide individuals or a group toward the achievement of common goals. Motivating others and fostering a positive and collaborative environment. Demonstrate empathy and integrity.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?

1 . See that you get paid. For example, once I rented a truck. Went to Italy with all the paintings. My daughter. I had to bring assistance and a bodyguard. That was the deal….. I had to pay for everything….. Cars, gas, assistant, musician, dancer.

2 . It’s not super easy to start selling paintings. You need about 50 paintings to become an artist. To be able to expose them, maybe at galleries. I like to create things big….. So 50 big paintings take a lot of space;)

3 . It would be good to have support from an investor or a collaboration. So far I have done ALL by myself. Using simple tools. Film made on my phone. My own light, sound, projector. I would love to be able to use the best light and sound equipment for example. Money to put on advertising the events.

4 . Promotion and marketing. I have my list of 400 investors. The engagement is always a little lower than I hope for.

5 . People love to attend events at no cost for them. With free food and drinks.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would love to have my multidimensional art shows with spiritual uplifting messages. ART FOR EARTH. Paintings, film, dance, music, perfume, wine, clothes. With an exclusive feeling.

To open hearts, give hope and a positive vibe. That makes people kinder, more loving, respectful and responsible.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

When connected to art it is “Feet on the ground and the brushes in heaven”

I want to take people on a journey to elevate their spirit.

And I try to love this way. Connected to my higher self and at the same time connected to nature on earth.

When I create I often step aside and let the creation come from “heaven”

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

Jim Carrey because I think he understands life and creation. He is also a painter.

Kris Jenner because she found the key to create her dream life. And has 5 daughters and 1 son like me.

Seal because he is a magic singer, I would love to have his energy in my art show

Madonna for her shows, her kids, her creativity, her focus. Never giving up, always a new expression.

Ryan Millscap because he is connected to culture, art and personal growth.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Instagram @gunilla_art

www.gunillalarsson.com

Art show at Monaco Streaming film festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCkrkhha7qE&list=PLEh2YO3WfxtRZwUYqdLh3xL_7lm7AgBwj&index=18

Art show under the oak tree at Le Manoir de L’ Etang Mougins, France https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dbAPnR8Vr0&list=PLEh2YO3WfxtRZwUYqdLh3xL_7lm7AgBwj&index=25

Art at Soriano Motori Italy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxf5dpMwZ9w&list=PLEh2YO3WfxtRZwUYqdLh3xL_7lm7AgBwj&index=20

https://calendly.com/gunilla-larsson/30min?month=2024-03

This was very meaningful, thank you so much!

About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.

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Authority Magazine
Authority Magazine

Published in Authority Magazine

In-depth Interviews with Authorities in Business, Pop Culture, Wellness, Social Impact, and Tech. We use interviews to draw out stories that are both empowering and actionable.

Maria Angelova, CEO of Rebellious Intl.
Maria Angelova, CEO of Rebellious Intl.

Written by Maria Angelova, CEO of Rebellious Intl.

Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl.

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