tony orrico: performance drawings

'penwald drawings'
tony orrico
shoshana wayne gallery
santa monica, california
from 28 may - 9 july, 2011



'penwald: 2: 8 circles'
graphite, paper
240'' x 240''
photo by michael hart


as much of a performance as it is a drawing, the work of american artist tony orrico explores
the capacity of the human body as a physical tool for creating art. with a background in dance
and choreography, orrico utilizes his own body - sometimes just the wrist, sometimes his whole
form - to generate massive drawings that are at once organic and highly precise.

'I marvel at the composition of nature and cycles,' says orrico. 'I am not versed in the convergence of
art and mathematics or sciences, but find myself instinctually attracted to this relationship. I try to
dilute my efforts and find an experiential point of entrance. I like to experiment with both embodied and
cognitive systems that yield beauty. my favorite art is somewhat accidental and overwhelmingly concise.'

whether it be spinning on his torso or pivoting a specific joint, a specific motion is established and
repeated throughout the performance. the completion of each piece ranges from 15 minutes to as long as
7 continuous hours.



'penwald: 6: project, recoil' (2011)
graphite, paper
1.5 hours
60'' x 180''
photo by bart dykstra



installation view of 'penwald: 2' and 'penwald: 4'
image © peter cox



'penwald: 4: unison symmetry standing' (2010)
permanent marker on wall
12 hours
80'' x 216''
photo by michael hart



orrico during a performance
photo by michael hart



photo by carlos martin



detail
photo by carlos martin



'penwald: 2: 8 circles'
photo by thomas willemsen



'penwald: 8: 12 by 12 on knees' (2011)
graphite on paper
approximately 6-7 hours
240'' x 240''



creating 'penwald: 3: circle on knees'
photo by efthymia zymvra



orrico during 'penwald: 5: wrists on walk' (2011)
graphite on paper
60'' x 60''
photo by bart dykstra