Details:
① Artwork:
Freezer Burn
In this series of paintings on paper, the artist employs a method of staining, soaking and transferring various paint mediums onto the surface. Relying on controlled chance, he manipulates the effects to create aleatory marks and images that range from bold and vibrant to blanched and aged. By recreating natural aging processes, he allows these works to exist in a space outside of time and decay.
Erik Sommer’s work is influenced by abandoned buildings, fading stone and eroding structures. He recreates these markers in a controlled manner yet embraces accidents in his paintings, drawings and sculptures. In his recent spray paint works, Sommer repeatedly layers his surface, heavily soaking the face with spray paint until it seeps through and is visible on the verso, resulting in two surfaces that exist as separate works of art.
Specs:
③ Artist:
Erik Sommer’s work is influenced by abandoned buildings, fading stone and eroding structures. He recreates these markers in a controlled manner yet embraces accidents in his paintings, drawings and sculptures that help call attention to overlooked examples of beautiful decay. Sommer became increasingly interested in manipulating paint, specifically spray paint. In his recent spray paint works, Sommer repeatedly layers his surface, heavily soaking the face with spray paint until it seeps through and is visible on the verso. As the paint seeps through, it stains this second surface arbitrarily, resulting in an accidental yet adjustable image. In this way, each action creates two pieces: the exterior image with its strong, bold colors and a second inner surface comprised of sparse, beautiful marks. While created together, the two surfaces exist as separate works of art.
Erik Sommer was born in 1978 in Duluth, MN, and lives between New York City, NY, and Upstate, NY. He received his MFA from the City College Studio Program in New York City, NY (2010); his MLS from the Palmer School in Greenvale, NY (2007); and a BA from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN (2000).
Sommer has mounted solo exhibitions at Deli Grocery in New York City, NY (2018); i-a-m in Berlin in Berlin, Germany (2016); and Rook & Raven in London, England (2012).
His work has been included in group exhibitions, such as Wilde Tiere at Constant Dschungel in Denzlingen, Germany (2023); Shit Art Show 5 at Shit Art Club in Los Angeles, CA (2022); Harvest at Mott Projects in New York City, NY (2021); Supper at Deli Grocery in New York City, NY (2019); and Occupy Mana at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, NJ (2017).
In this series of paintings on paper, the artist employs a method of staining, soaking and transferring various paint mediums onto the surface. Relying on controlled chance, he manipulates the effects to create aleatory marks and images that range from bold and vibrant to blanched and aged. By recreating natural aging processes, he allows these works to exist in a space outside of time and decay.More
- Framed: 16.1 x 13.1 x 2.0 in.
- Signed with title and year
