The Royal Academy of Art presents LithORRgraphy: Chris Orr RA and the Art of Chemical Printing. Chris Orr RA is one of Britain's most highly respected artists and printmakers. The exhibition, while examining the artist's zany view of daily life and the eccentricities of human nature, poses some serious questions about the nature of lithography as a medium. The installation brings together twenty prints created between 1974 and 2011, all of which have been presented to the Academy by Chris Orr.
Chris Orr – the Artist
Chris Orr, born in London in 1943, graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1967. Students at Cardiff College of Art, Central St Martins, London and the Royal College of Art have all benefited from his expertise as a tutor. Orr was elected Royal Academician in 1995 and appointed Professor of Printmaking at the Royal College of Art in 1998, stepping down from this post in 2008. Orr was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2008.
Frequently likened to a 21st-century William Hogarth, Orr's often controversial work is instantly recognised across the world. He has exhibited in numerous international exhibitions and his work is held in a number of public collections including those of The British Council; the British Museum; The Government Art Collection; Museum of London; Victoria and Albert Museum and many more.
Since 1976, Orr has written several books exploring and describing his work including Many Mansions 1990; The Small Titanic 1994; Happy Days 1999; Semi-antics 2001; The Disguise Factory 2003; Cities Of Holy Dreams 2007 and The Multitude Diaries 2008, published by the Royal Academy of Arts.
LithORRgraphy – Highlights of the Exhibition
LithORRgraphy showcases a rarely exhibited large offset litho entitled Inside Moonies from 1974. One of Orr's latest pieces, Welcome to the Atomic Age (2011) is accompanied by a film commissioned specially for the exhibition. In the film, made by Peacock Visual Arts, the artist discusses his work, offering important insights into the lithographic process. Also featured are Da-zblin, 1974; Shark Fin City (Hong Kong), 2005; Return to the Future-Shanghai, 2006; Companions in the Canyon, 2010 and Who Done it? 2011. These works and many more can be seen on Christ Orr's website.
LithORRgraphy: Chris Orr RA and the Art of Chemical Printing will be on view in The Tennant Gallery at the Royal Academy from 23rd February to 20th May 2012. The exhibition is supported by a varied programme of public events including artist and curator talks. Further information can be obtained from the Royal Academy of Arts.
Sources:
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Chris Orr's website (accessed 28.2.2012)
Frances Spiegel - Frances Spiegel, B.A. Hons. (Open)., Dip.Eur.Hum., read Art History/European Modern History at the Open University.
