Erik Sommer: A Biography
Early Life and Background
Born in Duluth, United States of America in 1978, Erik Sommer is a contemporary artist and curator currently based in New York City. Details regarding his early artistic training remain relatively private, but his work demonstrates a clear fascination with the built environment and its processes of deterioration.
Artistic Development & Key Themes
Sommer’s artistic practice is characterized by a unique exploration of decay, abandonment, and the passage of time. He is best known for his weathered paintings and haunting cement installations. These works often resemble abandoned buildings, eroding stone, or forgotten structures, creating an atmosphere of melancholic beauty and quiet contemplation.
- His paintings frequently feature layers that appear to be peeling away from the support, visually representing disintegration.
- The cement installations are particularly striking, recreating scenes – such as rooms – that feel recently deserted, capturing a moment frozen in time.
Major Works and Exhibitions
Sommer’s career gained momentum with exhibitions beginning around 2010. Key milestones include:
- Pray to Fallen Skies (2012): His first solo UK show at Rook & Raven in London, featuring large all-white canvases presented in secluded viewing rooms for intimate engagement.
- and riding clouds (2013): This New York City exhibition marked his debut with a cement installation – ‘apt. 4b’ – recreating an apartment living room from found objects.
- painting, interior (2015): A cement installation depicting a room in the process of being painted.
- die chemische reining (2016): A Berlin exhibition featuring a cement recreation of a dry cleaner, receiving critical acclaim from *kaltblut magazine*.
- volvo 240 (2017): A cemented sculpture of a car displayed in Red Hook and later at Mana Contemporary.
- 1 hour tooth whitening (2018): Cemented recreation of a dentist office, exhibited at Deli Grocery in Brooklyn.
Influences & Artistic Style
While Sommer’s influences are not explicitly stated, his work resonates with themes found in the New Topographics movement – an artistic approach that objectively depicts mundane landscapes. The aesthetic of ruin and decay also connects to broader art historical trends exploring impermanence and memory. His style is distinctly contemporary, blending sculpture, installation, and painting into a cohesive vision.
Mott Projects & Curatorial Work
In 2019, Erik Sommer founded mott projects, a contemporary art project space. This venture demonstrates his commitment to supporting and showcasing emerging artists within the New York City art scene.
Historical Significance & Current Standing
Erik Sommer’s work offers a poignant reflection on urban life, memory, and the relentless forces of time. His unique use of materials and evocative installations have established him as a notable figure in contemporary art, prompting viewers to contemplate the beauty found within decay and the stories embedded within abandoned spaces.
