Peter Iredale
An exhibit by Darren Orange, along with a video of his process, will open January 4 through January 26 at the Coastal Oregon Visual Artist Showcase at the Newport Visual Arts Center. An opening reception will be held January 4 from 5-7 pm at the Newport Visual Arts Center.
His exhibit, “AnteSeedent” will include paintings and photo based aluminum prints. Orange is “addressing the issue of natural beauty in the wake of human influence. The human struggle to control the environment has left nature scarred; however it perseveres… These two distinct bodies of work… show a romantic beauty of nostalgia through discarded object despite the contradiction of the potential ugliness of the subject. Photography is often the start and reference point.”
In discussing his process Orange says, “I use what is at my disposal and seek out new adaptations of materials to solve problems in which traditional materials cannot provide like a child playing on the floor with all his toys together… As a landscape artist I am most directly inspired by the surroundings of where I have lived. The sublime landscapes, homesteads of Central Washington, fishing villages on the lower Columbia River, and the desert of the Southwest. These pastoral places have provided me with reference to understand the past, and to be aware of my own mark on the environment. The work is influenced by site-specific places; however the message, the image, transcend universally. ”
Darren Orange has a BFA from Western Washington University. Orange lives in Astoria, Oregon and has been an Astoria Visual Arts board member. Orange has shown extensively throughout the Northwest including three solo exhibits and one group show in 2012 and has had exhibits in New York, L.A., Santa Fe, and Atlanta. His work is in collections across the country, Canada, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates. Orange has had his work published in regional books and magazines.
The showcase and video are available for viewing from 12-4 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and the work in the Showcase can be viewed whenever the Visual Arts Center is open. Located at 777 NW Beach Drive on the Nye Beach Turnaround in Newport, the VAC is also home to the Runyan and Upstairs Galleries.
Contact: Sally Houck, OCCA Director, Newport Visual Arts Center 541-265-6569, [email protected]