Eric Orr (1939 - 1998) was an artist and a central figure of the Light and Space Movement that coalesced in Southern California in the 1960s. His work spanned a variety of artistic practices (including installation art, sculpture, painting, sound art, and performance) that challenged the definition of art-making. 

In addition to working with the intangible mediums of light, space, and sound in his installations, Orr also worked with natural materials ranging from water, fire, lead, gold leaf, to his own blood in his object-based artworks and paintings. Throughout Orr’s practice, he experimented with perception and the effects of the senses.

Orr’s work has been exhibited internationally, including LACMA (1981), Documenta VII (1982), the Sydney Biennial (1986), and the Venice Biennale (1986), the re-opening of P.S. 1(1998), and Copenhagen Contemporary (2021). His work is held in many public and private collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Rand Corporation, the Panza Collection, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, L.A. County Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY.

Orr died in Venice, California, in 1998.

His archives are available at The Getty Research Institute.

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The Estate of Eric Orr was established to preserve and advance the artistic legacy of this important figure in 20th century art. 

The Estate partners with institutions to realize the presentation of installations and other artworks by Eric Orr. Additionally, the Estate also works to lend artworks, approve image rights, coordinate conservation, and foster dialogue with scholars about Orr’s work.

This site brings together information about Eric Orr and presents a selection of his major works, with the intention of providing a deeper understanding of the artist’s life and practice.

We welcome you to contact us with any comments or inquiries.