Ocean Land Lines – Lora Whelan

Gallery Sitka announces the exhibition “Ocean Land Lines” by contemporary artist Lora Whelan. The public is invited to the free opening reception on Saturday, August 10, from 1:30-3:30 pm; Whelan will be in attendance. The show will be on display through August 31.

Lora Whelan, who lives year-round and maintains her studio in Eastport, Maine, explains the impetus behind her current exhibition, “Downeast Maine saw a series of winter storms during 2023/24 which created a collision of wind, water, and land. It seemed that the wind never stopped, that it would blow from one way then come around in what seemed a lull, and then blow from the other way. The ocean storm surges were overwhelming at times and magnificent in their power.” 

Land was clawed by waves; trees, shrubs, and grasses that had buried their roots into the soil and held back the shore for years disappeared in a matter of hours. Boathouses, sheds, wharves, and some houses were swept off their footings and lost their balance, sliding off into the storm waters and pounded into pieces. 

In response to the ferocity of nature, Whelan took to her studio where she created a series of works with titles such as “Tidal Mist,” “Storm Surge” and “Tidal Moonlight.” She explains, “I started with a large piece of unstretched canvas on the floor, poured water on it and then started moving paint around with the palette knife. It was a particularly powerful way to start this series as paint can be unruly as it meets water. I felt like I was in the midst of one of those storms, trying to hold on to order while the water took control.” 

Born in New York City, Whelan graduated from Bennington College in Vermont with a BA, and from Mercy College in New York with a MS. She is self-taught and revels in exploring and experimentation. She has done a number of one and two person shows in New England, as well as artist talks. 

Additional information can be found at Gallery Sitka.