Charlotte Thrane sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about negotiating space, her love of upholstery foam, surprising herself in the studio, and her need for physical activity. For me there is a certain sense of freedom associated with expressing beauty without guilt or fear. (ES) Describe your work for us.(CT) I often work with … Read more
Andrea Carpita sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about his recognizable palette, his use of digital sketches, the importance of staying connected, and Kurt Cobain. I am looking for a way to paint everything. (ES) Describe your work for us.(AC) This is the most complex question. I do not have a clear answer to … Read more
Noah Latif Lamp sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about blowing up paint, growing up among artists, confessing to the Cloud, and painting with crocodiles. I like grand dialogues already loaded with tension. (ES) Describe your work for us.(NLL) My work is an amalgamation of the everyday and the extraordinary. I take the everyday … Read more
Hetty Douglas sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about her love of Pink Angels, the bluntness of text, making herself vulnerable to the canvas, and finding comfort in texture. I just love to paint. (ES) Describe your work for us.(HD) An exploration of self, surrounding fears, feelings of confusion, sadness, hate, love and hope. … Read more
Cristina de Miguel sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about hot Sevillian summers, the immediacy of painting, being honest with herself, and the importance of taking dance breaks. I am full of contradictions. (ES) Describe your work for us.(CdM) My approach to painting is very emotional. I try to think in formal terms also, … Read more
Ricardo Passaporte sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about Freddie Brice, Google street view, logos and brands, and not chilling in his studio. I like to see silver on concrete. (ES) Describe your work for us.(RP) It is not easy for me. The moments when I think about my work are before I start … Read more
Fresh off his show at Monica King Contemporary, Taylor Anton White sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about green studio chairs, William Anastasi, stuffed macaws, and the importance of mimicry. I get excited when something I do is interpreted in a totally different way than I intended. (ES) Describe your work for us.(TAW) One … Read more
Fresh off his show at PUBLIC Gallery in London, Hunter Potter sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about trench-art ashtrays, hobo markings, his love of Larry McMurtry, and how he finds the beginning of a painting on a blank canvas. I like this concept of a story’s strength being determined by who is telling … Read more
Felix Schramm sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about his love of Francis Bacon, not feeling limited by physical space, the importance of his residencies abroad, and his habit of finding inspiration in the storage areas of museums. I want to irritate the viewers’ common perception. (ES) Tell us a bit about your background. … Read more
Martin Lukáč sits down with Erik Sommer to talk about the perks of living in Prague, how he remains challenged, the importance of seeing the process in a painting, and his love of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s my sincere desire to fuck this fucking shit up. (ES) Describe your work for us.(ML) It’s … Read more