Erik Parker (born 1968) is a New York-based artist known for cartoonish compositions that riff on the traditional genres of portraiture and still life. His paintings draw inspiration from American subculture—psychedelia, underground comic books, music genres, as well as historic modern painters.
Parker studied at the University of Texas, Austin with Peter Saul before receiving an MFA from Purchase College of the State University of New York. Solo exhibitions include Cornerhouse Gallery in Manchester, England; De Appel in Amsterdam; the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth; Colette in Paris; Honor Fraser in Los Angeles; and Galleri Faurschou in Copenhagen.
Life and work
Erik Parker was born in Stuttgart, West Germany but later moved to San Antonio, Texas. Parker attended the University of Texas at Austin and studied with teachers including Peter Saul. He later received an MFA from Purchase College in New York.
Erik Parker is known for his precisely brightly colored, layered and highly saturated canvases. Parker's work depicts unique, fantastical scenes of biomorphic subjects and landscapes. Parker methodically paints each composition creating an intense visual experience. His work maintains a premeditated sense of order; at the same time, his composition is composed of bold and fragmented forms. Parker employs many styles in his work, from graffiti to psychedelic album covers and cartoons. Drawing from elements of American subculture, Parker creates color infused paintings that illustrate his take on the pressing issues of our time.
Solo exhibitions Source: Year Exhibition Gallery/Museum Location2018New MoodMary Boone GalleryNew York, NY2017Run with the HuntedAishonanzukaHong Kong, China2016Double DownNanzukaTokyo, Japan2015UndertowPaul Kasmin GalleryNew York, NY2015¿What About Now?Galería Javier López & Fer FrancésMadrid, Spain2013New Magnetic DestinyHonor Fraser GalleryLos Angeles, CA2012Upswing Dub ProjectPace PrintsNew York, NY2012 Too Mad to Be Scared Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Ridgefield, CT2012 Other side of Morning and Bermuda Patricia Low Contemporary Gstaad2011 Re-Upped Colette Paris, France2011 Focus: Erik Parker Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Fort Worth, TX2010 Endless Anytime Honor Fraser Los Angeles, CA2010 Adapt Galleri Faurschou Copenhagen, Denmark2009 Crisis Creation Paul Kasmin Gallery New York, NY2008 Between Lines Marianne Boesky New York, NY2007 Liner Notes De Appel Amsterdam2007 Damage Control Honor Fraser Los Angeles, CA2006 Half Cocked Taka Ishii Gallery Tokyo, Japan
Awards Rema Hort-Mann Foundation Grant (1999) Purchase College 25th Anniversary Scholarship (SUNY Purchase College) (1997) Rose Scholarship (Visual Arts Department, SUNY Purchase College) (1997) Durhurst Family Scholarship (Visual Arts Department, SUNY Purchase College) (1997) Excellence in Painting (Department of Art & Art History, University of Texas at Austin) (1995) Merit Scholarship in Painting and Drawing (University of Texas at Austin)(1994) Denbela-Ortiz Galeria Outstanding Scholarship in Visual Art (San Antonio College) (1992)
Books Erik Parker Personae, book published by Honor Fraser Inc. Los Angeles, California 2008. , with text by Max Henry, designed by Brian Roettinger.
Erik Parker: Colorful Resistance, book published by Rizzoli 2012. , with text by Monica Ramirez-Montagut (Author), Peter Saul (Foreword)
References
External links Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) Collection: Erik Parker Interview/Studio Visit with Erik Parker Photo Tour of Erik Parker's Brooklyn Studio