Randall Harrington
Who is Randall Harrington?
Randall Harrington is a multidisciplinary artist known for his provocative and immersive sculptures that explore the intersections of history, technology, and American culture. With a background in film set design and music video production, Harrington transitioned into the fine art world in the 1990s, carving out a niche in metal and mixed media. His works often draw on personal experiences, social commentary, and a fascination with militaristic design, producing pieces that captivate collectors and critics alike.
One of his most notable works, The Bomb, serves as a centerpiece for his commentary on post-war American culture. The life-size replica of the Little Boy atomic bomb, with a 1970s drive-in theater diorama inside, offers a striking juxtaposition between the nostalgia of American entertainment and the looming shadow of nuclear anxiety. With The Bomb, Harrington invites viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about societal escapism, the blurring of reality and fantasy, and the darker implications of America's "amusement culture," echoing the ideas of thinkers like Neil Postman.
Harrington’s technical expertise is apparent in his immersive approach to sculpture. His early experiments with industrial materials led him to collaborate with high-profile foundries, learning processes like lost-wax casting, which became central to his practice. Harrington’s affinity for self-education, coupled with his unique creative voice, has enabled him to execute large-scale works that merge technical precision with conceptual depth.
A sculptor who "likes to paint," Harrington’s artistic journey began in the Los Angeles industrial art scene, where his fascination with creating molds from guns led him to institutions like the Naval Missile Museum. This hands-on approach, combined with his meticulous research, informs his sculptures, which frequently reference military hardware, robots, and found objects. His "robot works," deeply personal creations inspired by a spinal cord injury in his youth, reflect both his physical experience and his commentary on the mechanization of the human body.
Harrington’s work transcends traditional gallery spaces, attracting an upscale collector base through its intellectual rigor and accessibility. Known for his generosity within the artistic community, Harrington maintains an open-door studio policy, fostering collaboration and mentorship among emerging artists. His ability to blend serious critique with playful, often whimsical elements continues to make his work resonate in the contemporary art world.
