Where the Heart Is
In her newest exhibition, Where the Heart Is, artist Kate Orr invites viewers into a quiet, luminous world where memory and emotion shape our sense of home. Through a delicate interplay of oil and charcoal, Orr creates works that radiate warmth, nostalgia, and intimacy. Whether depicting a sunlit living room, the gentle bustle of dinnertime, or the affectionate chaos of children and pets, each piece is imbued with the familiar rhythms of everyday life. This show is less about literal architecture and more about the architecture of feeling, a tender reminder that "home" is not so much a place, but a presence. "To me," Orr shares, "home means a safe haven. It is the feeling of comfort, peace, and companionship."
As viewers move through the Harrison Gallery, they'll encounter a series of figures that may at first seem elusive - faces partially hidden by light, shadow, or angle. This intentional ambiguity is one of the exhibit's quiet strengths. "Each face is at least slightly obscured," Orr explains, "because it allows more people to see themselves in these paintings. When a face is partially hidden by shadow or perspective, it becomes less of a specific person and more of a feeling or story." In doing so, the work becomes less about observation and more about recognition. We may not know these figures, but we know these moments: the clink of coffee cups between friends, the calm of an evening walk, the scent of dinner in the air.
Sensory cues match the emotional depth of Where the Heart Is. Orr describes her process as deeply influenced by music: "There would be lots of guitar and strings, dreamy vocals, and warm jazz. The concept is home and loved ones, and this music really captures that feeling for me." That warmth is visible in the textures of her brushwork and the careful balance between light and shadow. These paintings are quiet companions, whispering a message across the gallery: "Do you know how precious that little moment is? Bedtime stories and pouring a cup of tea may feel mundane most days, but each little memory is creating meaningful impressions that can last a lifetime."
What began as a visual meditation on physical spaces evolved into something more personal for Orr. "Originally I planned this series to focus more on interiors and indistinct figures," she says, "but I realized that home feels so warm and safe because of the people you share it with, whether that is your blood family or chosen family." This insight came to her gradually, as she was drawn to references of close friends and their children. While her physical home inspired the calming palette and intimate scenes, the emotional core - feeling safe and loved - defines the work.