In this compelling body of work, Orr seamlessly blends digital precision with the time-honoured techniques of oil painting, crafting dreamlike scenes where human and animal figures navigate emotionally charged, often unsettling landscapes.
Deeply shaped by his upbringing in a culture that rarely embraced emotional openness, Orr channels this formative experience into a visual exploration of inner life.
Each painting becomes a silent, monumental witness to the complexity of human emotion—both his own and that of others—rendered with empathy and an acute psychological sensitivity.
Orr’s creative process begins in the digital realm, where he builds silhouette-based ‘notan’ compositions. These are then brought to life through his expert handling of oil paint, chiaroscuro techniques, and airbrushed surfaces.
The result is a tactile softness that dissolves the boundary between realism and the surreal. His muted yet powerful color palette evokes a delicate balance between intimacy and detachment, memory and presence.
Art historically, Orr’s inspirations range from the surrealism of Dalí and Magritte to the staged compositions of Hockney and the spiritual symbolism of Kiki Smith. His work is further enriched by references to European folklore and a deep engagement with anatomy, creating visual narratives where the absurd, the anxious, and the mystical converge.
Through “The Hills Are Not as Close as They Seem,” Máté Orr invites us to navigate a landscape that is as much internal as it is external—one where emotional truth reveals itself not with drama, but with quiet, persistent grace.
Artist: Máté Orr
