Reflecting on Exhale: In Conversation with Dr. Orin Carpenter
Kevin Sharps | Co-Founder & CEO, San Francisco, CA
I have the distinct advantage to call Orin a long-time friend and collaborator. I’ve often described his artist talks as a short-form master class in creativity and compassion. Exhale and his accompanying talk last Thursday night proved that sentiment right.
What we got to experience was quite special. Orin sat among 23 of his works, which were created in response to the global pandemic and furthered his skillful ability to use abstract art to express deep personal experience and the ideas that surrounded us while living through a never-ending stream of “unprecedented times.” Orin spoke at length about his approach to his craft and the importance of pursuing ideas that are central to humans who are simultaneously moving through the world and trying to make sense of it. Through that process, he arrived at revelations that, when shared, were illuminating for us all.
Orin is a practiced and charismatic speaker and shares pivotal moments in his career with great humility and humanity. I could easily imagine the challenges of being an artist, working to express big ideas and often working in solitude. His insight about what keeps him motivated to pursue a career that can be challenging even in the best of times was a life-lesson for everyone attending, regardless of their profession or craft. I’ll carry his advice with deep appreciation.
C-lective’s Studio 124 is a unique space to engage with his work. It exhibited the series in a relaxed and open environment, making it easy to draw comparisons across pieces and allow multiple artworks to be in conversation with one another.
I came away with a new appreciation for the sophisticated structure that underlies each abstract in the collection. His description of technique and intent is a gift to those that are new to fine art, especially abstraction, and adds new layers of appreciation for experienced collectors. I also felt that our curator Courtney’s facilitation of the discussion allowed Orin’s passion for both education and art to shine. I’ve met few artists that are willing to walk their audience through their process in the transparent and approachable way Orin did on Thursday. I think this speaks to Orin’s belief that paintings live multiple lives and the relationship between the piece and the viewer is as important as the one between the artist, idea, and materials.
I went home that evening feeling energized and inspired, knowing I had spent time with an exceptional artist whose work invites us to consider the universality of our struggles and triumphs and what brings us together. That is the impact I want art to have on me.
Watch a curated selection from the conversation here.
— Kevin
