Tainted

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Orrin Whalen's new textured wall sculptures sound captivating, blending themes of transformation and renewal with a tactile exploration of materials. His use of acrylic skin and re sin castings to create these works emphasizes a visceral connection to the idea of change — as if the textures themselves are part of a metamorphosis. The concept of a doorway, portal, or passage further suggests a journey or transition, making the sculptures not just visual objects but also symbolic representations of letting go and moving forward. Whalen’s focus on sensuality, textures, and raw edges adds a layer of depth, inviting viewers to engage both visually and emotionally. In Orrin’s own words: “I am a wrangler of materials - resins, concrete, paint skins. I document their sensuality, textures and their unkempt boundaries. It's a laborious process, hauling the sludge of a freshly mixed concrete, stirring goopy silicons, stretching wet paint over a heavy glass surface. I'm often casting woven motifs that represent humans' innate need to remedy what crumbles around them. The earth changes form and man attempts to put a bandaid on it out of the fear of change. My forms are often overflowing, free of any canvas boundary, all in an attempt to invoke the futility of our efforts.The woven motif that runs through my work recalls those ubiquitous protective shields yet they flow freely, opening out rather than trying to contain.” Show more