My friend Raleigh Ormerod is a man of many talents. In addition to being a fellow Keene City Councilor, inventor of the Swiffer, and a rather impressive father, it turns out he is also quite an artist. Now, after going through several years of difficult medical challenges, Raleigh has drawn on that experience to come out with a compelling debut art installation at Dartmouth Medical Center.
The pieces in his new installation, "Prime of Night" are computer-designed images that have been produced as limited edition prints on a glossy metal surface. They feature nocturnal animals on a black background, with each animal composed of exquisitely detailed geometric shapes.
These prints evoke the best of Raleigh's personality - organized and analytical, detail oriented, colorful, innovative, with an underlying tone of benevolence, connection to nature, and peacefulness. As Raleigh says, the high-gloss metal evokes a feeling of "strength, resilience, and hope."
The overall effect is positive and uplifting, which I think is a good place for contemporary visual art to be in this, the year 2023. It's been a rough stretch and we all could use some brightness and hope.
Raleigh's installation on display through March 31, 2023 at Dartmouth Medical Center's 2K Lobby Gallery in Lebanon, New Hampshire. I hope there will be an installation in Keene someday.
Check out the video of his artwork below and visit his website for more details.