#49:
We Paint These Truths
with
Orin Carpenter
Episode Summary
The good-hearted and visionary Orin Carpenter joins the podcast this week to explore the connection between art and society. As a fine artist who uses mixed media to make evocative and abstract art with social commentary, Orin carries a rich sense of the artist's social function. Orin's pieces are journeys into the layers of personal experience and American truths. His art deals with themes of identity, race, conflict, change, and healing.
Orin's abundant passion for art’s ability to initiate dialogue is the heart of our conversation today, and as we take our next steps in our meditations on Social Cohesion, Orin is a delightful gift and an authentic voice to have in the mix. His wise and creative soul brings body and shape to our adventure, bringing us to new ground and new thought as we consider human nature and America's social contours.
We Paint These Truths (Yes, it is meant to echo 'We Hold These Truths') begins with Orin recounting how art entered his life. By providing a compelling portrait of the influences and circumstances that awakened the artist within him, we come to understand the forces that shaped his early life and the incredible response he had to them. Growing up in a black family in the South, being born just a few months after the assassination of Dr. King, finding black characters in Marvel comic books that he could relate with, the local library trips with his mother, the legacies of the Harlem Renaissance, and jazz music and their album covers were all pieces in his purpose puzzle.
Along the way, we experience the energy and passion of Orin's art ethos. For him, art is both personal and social. It acts as a medium and metaphorical space that connects people, fosters dialogue, and helps us see each other in ways that debate alone cannot. For Orin, art serves as a conduit for restoring dignity, a means to acknowledge uncomfortable truths and a platform for honest conversations about justice and equity. In a moment of profound honesty, Orin shares the lived truths he navigates in his American experience and the way dualities of belonging have driven his expressions.
Throughout the conversation, we find that Orin is a valuable guide, not just in his connection to the power of artistry but also in his rich sense and vision of art as both expression and activism. Orin's spirit of "artivism" encourages us to reconsider the role art plays in shaping our outlook and in its power to create a more compassionate and cohesive society.
You're heartily invited to listen in as we journey with Orin and turn the philosopher's stone over together on this matter of Social Cohesion.
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About Orin Carpenter: Orin is a fine artist, high school art teacher, and Doctor of Philosophy in Education. He lives, creates, and works in Northern California.
About himself, he writes… "As an artivist, my work is both my voice and my vision —a way to educate, elevate, and challenge perceptions. Through my creations, I invite others to see the world through my lens, inspiring new perspectives and fostering shared understanding.
Art became my refuge and strength during childhood, helping me navigate the complexities of my identity. Comic books sparked my imagination, teaching me that creativity could be a superpower. Over time, I realized I couldn't stay hidden in fantasy — I needed to bring my imagination to life. This discovery became the foundation of my practice: creating worlds that reflect my journey and forge connections with others.
For me, art is about layers — each piece revealing truths about humanity and identity. Working with mixed media allows me to unify materials in a process that mirrors life itself: intricate, dynamic, and transformative. In my abstract work, I strive to capture the rhythms and patterns of existence, expressing the essence of our experiences through color, texture, and harmony. My identity profoundly shapes my art, infusing it with authenticity and purpose. Each creation is a reflection of my story and an invitation for others to discover their own."
To view Orin's art and get in touch with him about workshops, please visit his webpage.
