On display at Orange Coast College’s Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion from Jan. 29 until March 21, “Roger Whitridge: Order and Chaos” is an ongoing painting series. Modern life is a digital tapestry of shifting realities, ideologies, and symbols colliding from the past and present. The paintings translate these absurd dualities throughout decades, growing more complicated through time and layered painting techniques. These symbols can be mass-consumed from film and television or emerge from the spiritual, esoteric, and philosophical.
His realistic painting style is less about representing what he sees and more about creating an allegory of competing realities by blending figures, still life settings, and tromp l’oeil techniques that explore philosophical and historical conundrums.
“Order and Chaos” gathers decades of Whitridge’s painting practice to coincide with his retirement as a full-time painting faculty member at Orange Coast College. The exhibit gathers the breadth of his work, references, and experiences as a celebration. Whitridge’s legacy as an artist and educator is as foundational to the art program as his oil is on canvas.
“Roger Whitridge: Order and Chaos” is curated by Dakota Noot, Director of Programming at the Doyle.
Concurrent exhibitions at The Doyle in Spring 2024 include “Monroe Isenberg: nowhere is here,” open from Jan. 29 - March 21, 2024.
Preview reception: Thursday, Feb. 1, 4-6 p.m.
Opening reception: Saturday, Feb. 3, 1-4 p.m., with short artist walkthrough at 1 p.m.
Admission is free for all exhibitions. Gallery hours: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and First Saturday (March 2), 12-4 p.m. The gallery is closed on Fridays and school holidays. The Doyle is located next to OCC’s Parking Lot D, off Merrimac Way, building 180, between Starbucks and the Art Center classrooms. For additional information, call (714) 432-5738, or visit The Doyle website.