Using media spanning large format photography, darkroom science, drawing, and sculpture, Lauren Orchowski documents and constructs environments that conjure a primordial tension between the otherworldliness of escapism and reality.

Working in an analog black and white darkroom since the age of 15, her documentary process of observing and recording the landscape and human condition began at the age of 7 with an Instamatic camera paired with the idea to make a visual record of industry while traveling along the Hudson River in upstate New York on a small boat.

Orchowski’s work has been exhibited in many venues including the International Space Station, The Sweet Flypaper Gallery at Hunter College, The Detroit Center for Contemporary Photography, The Minnesota Center for Book Arts, The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, chashama + project space NYC, New York Photo Festival, SÍM - The Association of Icelandic Artists - Reykjavik, Rockland Center for Art, and The Zimmerli Museum. Most recently she was a 2023 Workspace Resident at Penumbra Foundation in New York City, a recipient of the 2019 Hariban Award - Honorable Mention, shortlisted for the FOTOFILMIC MESH PRIZE, and featured in the inaugural RUST BELT BIENNIAL. Her work has been reviewed and published in The NY Times, Scientific American, LENSCRATCH, photo works UK, art.critical, Humble Arts Foundation, FOTOFILMIC JRNL, and her self published book Rocket Science was awarded 2nd place in the 2010 International Photobook Now competition. In 2008 her full room installation of diorama- theaters appeared in the multi expanse exhibition to:Night, Contemporary Representations of the Night at Hunter College and Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night at the Museum of Modern Art, NY. Her work has been collected by The Bienecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The Rutgers Archives for Printmaking, The George Eastman Museum, the former Annenberg Space for Photography, and The International Center for Photography Library. Born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York she lives and works in New York City.