Studio Visit with Erik Parker
Erik and I in his light-filled studio in Williamsburg
Erik Parker is an artist that I love and admire. His pieces depict a unique world saturated with vibrant neon hues using the paint that he creates (and some of which he aptly names "Afro", "The Kid" and "Kung Fu" among many other variations). Sometimes he paints exotic optimistic places, sometimes it's all about "lyrical maps" like those at the show he had earlier this year at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and other times he creates amalgamations of people and characters both fictional (from comics) and real like LL Cool J, Michael Jackson and the Haile Selassie (the Jah Rastafarian) who could have never crossed paths otherwise. Although Erik's style is strong, determined and recognizable, every time he releases a new series, he brings something new to the table. Last September, Erik had a very successful show with Paul Kasmin Gallery, and I was able to get the most amazing diptych for my clients. He also released a series of prints with Pace Prints a few months ago and is having a new show with Honor Fraser in Los Angeles in the fall. Visiting his studio in Williamsburg was really a treat and seeing his new paintings even more so. The pictures speak for themselves.
