Portrait of Oren Pinhassi, 2024. Photo by Tom Carter

Lehmann Maupin now represents New York-based artist Oren Pinhassi, known for his evocative anthropomorphic sculptures and expansive installations.

BY ARTCENTRON NEWS

New York-based artist Oren Pinhassi has joined the prestigious roster of artists at Lehmann Maupin. Known for his evocative sculptures and expansive installations, Pinhassi’s work explores the intricate interplay between architectural spaces and the human form. His anthropomorphic sculptures, some towering up to eight feet tall, deeply delve into individual vulnerability and adaptability within constructed environments, challenging traditional concepts of coexistence.

Jessica Kreps, Partner at Lehmann Maupin, notes that Pinhass’s impactful and introspective pieces challenge conventional notions of architecture and the human form. This, she said, is what makes his addition to Lehmann Maupin truly exciting. Pinhass’s work, she notes, is a bold examination of the constructed world that aligns perfectly with Lehmann Maupin. “We’re eager to introduce his work to our worldwide audience,” she said.

Lehmann Maupin’s upcoming In Focus Exhibition will feature Pinhassi’s work at their New York gallery in September 2024. This exhibition follows a series of successful shows in 2023, including one at the Chicago Architecture Biennial titled This is a Rehearsal. The other was Moveables at ICA Philadelphia. The artist’s unique artistic expression has garnered global attention, leading to his co-representation by two major art galleries. One is the Edel Assanti in London, and the other is, Commonwealth and Council in Los Angeles.

Oren Pinhassi: An Artistic Vision

A graduate of Yale University’s MFA program in 2014, Oren Pinhassi has developed a distinctive visual language that blends the extravagant with the functional, the utopian with the ordinary. His sculptures often resemble familiar objects like palm trees, showers, or chaise lounges. They blur the lines between humanity and inanimate objects. This boundary-defying approach fosters a sense of limitless interconnection, where objects, architecture, and the human body meld in a dance of transformative intimacy, offering fresh perspectives and insights.

Materials, Process, and Artistic Technique

Oren Pinhassi has a preference for organic materials, such as sand and plaster, which reflects his fascination with the transformative potential of shapes. Echoing the style of Arte Povera artists, this unconventional material choice is fundamental to Pinhassi’s artistry. The artist’s sculpting technique is a meticulous process, intertwining burlap, plaster, and sand around sturdy welded steel frameworks. This method imbues each piece with a tangible imprint of the artist’s touch. The outcome is a series of monumental figures reminiscent of totems. It challenges traditional notions of space and encourages viewers to reflect on their own presence within the environment.