ELMER OROBIO
Devotion and Inner Strength
October 17-November 2, 2025

Devotion and Inner Strength: Sculpted Songs, Memories, and Homages is a solo exhibition of sculptures by Colombian-American artist/sculptor Elmer Orobio. Orobio brings his world of sculptures alive at Lightforms in this exhibition curated by Finnish artist Sampsa Pirtola.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Screening of Queen of the Sun with Gunther Hauk on Fri, Oct 24 at 6pm
- Artist talk with Elmer Orobio: Sat, Oct 25 at 2pm
- Clay workshop with Elmer Orobio: Sun, Nov 1 from 11am-1pm

Elmer Orobio started making sculptures as a child out of clay and wood, and this early interest grew into a lifelong passion. He works primarily in wood now, with frequent additions of metal and found objects to enhance the hand-carved pieces. 

Broken Torso (Frida Kahlo Tribute) greets viewers at the entrance. Elmer writes: "The Broken Torso or Frida Kahlo Tribute attempts to acknowledge the human spirit in all its greatness and the inner strength that is capable of overcoming the most difficult situations imaginable. It is that will power that can confront painful human experiences. In this case, suffering and deterioration of the physical body. The idea of this sculpture came from Frida's painting titled The Broken Column. To me, Frida Kahlo represents the ability to transform deep pain into art."

Other works, like Circle of Celebration, Don’t Look Back, and Greetings from the Sea bring awareness to environmental issues such as endangered coral reefs or the near-extinction of the Californian Condor. Orobio’s passion for birds can be seen in many of the works in the back gallery, including a flock of miniscule birds perching throughout the space.