Erik Sommer
Born 1978 in Duluth, USA
© Photo from the artist's archive

Erik Sommer is an American artist and curator living and working in New York City. Best known for his weathered paintings and cement installations, his work is often compared to abandoned buildings, eroding stone or forgotten structures. His cement installations are recreated stories of recently deserted places. The cement thickens the atmosphere while stopping time.

"This is indeed a strange time. The whole world is taking a time-out. Hopefully we will return wiser and safer and learn from our mistakes. I am interested to see how artists respond to this pandemic. Will their work be safe, more reflective, or will they break free from control and shatter their constraints? Only time will tell. Personally, I find myself revisiting canvas. The past several years I have focused on my cement installations, so it is nice to just paint. Maybe it is the need for something immediate, but I am enjoying working on canvas with color and cement and the effects of time. That being said, the planning for the next cement installation has begun. Once these strange days return to normal, if we ever really do return to normal, I will create the installation on-site. It is exciting, and hopeful, to think about, but for the time being the most we can do is take it day by day, hour by hour, and remain optimistic, patient and considerate. Be kind, and wash your hands."

Erik Sommer
New York City, April 27, 2020

Untitled (2020)

244 cm x 366 cm, street posters on wood

Caleb’s Green (2020)

92 x 92 cm, street posters and drywall on canvas

The Candy Store (2020)

92 x 92 cm, street posters and drywall on canvas

1 Hour Tooth Whitening (2018)

site specific installation (Deli Grocery, Brooklyn)

1 Hour Tooth Whitening (2018)

site specific installation (Deli Grocery, Brooklyn)

1 Hour Tooth Whitening (2018)

site specific installation (Deli Grocery, Brooklyn)

1 Hour Tooth Whitening (2018)

site specific installation (Deli Grocery, Brooklyn)

1 Hour Tooth Whitening (2018)

site specific installation (Deli Grocery, Brooklyn)

Volvo 240 (2017)

site specific installation (Fastnet, Brooklyn)

Volvo 240 (2017)

site specific installation (Fastnet, Brooklyn)

Volvo 240 (2017)

site specific installation (Fastnet, Brooklyn)

Die Chemische Reinigung (2016)

site specific installation (i.a.m, Berlin)

Die Chemische Reinigung (2016)

site specific installation (i.a.m, Berlin)

Painting, Interior (2015)

site specific installation (Academic, Brooklyn)

Painting, Interior (2015)

site specific installation (Academic, Brooklyn)

Painting, Interior (2015)

site specific installation (Academic, Brooklyn)

Painting, Interior (2015)

site specific installation (Academic, Brooklyn)