Erik Parker
Erik Parker is a New York-based artist, is 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, Denmark.
Life and work
Erik Parker was born in Stuttgart, 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 while 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 | Location |
| 2018 | New Mood | Mary Boone Gallery | New York, NY |
| 2017 | Run with the Hunted | Aishonanzuka | Hong Kong, China |
| 2016 | Double Down | Nanzuka | Tokyo, Japan |
| 2015 | Undertow | Paul Kasmin Gallery | New York, NY |
| 2015 | ¿What About Now? | Galería Javier López & Fer Francés | Madrid, Spain |
| 2013 | New Magnetic Destiny | Honor Fraser Gallery | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2012 | Upswing Dub Project | Pace Prints | New York, NY |
| 2012 | Too Mad to Be Scared | Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | Ridgefield, CT |
| 2012 | Other side of Morning and Bermuda | Patricia Low Contemporary | Gstaad |
| 2011 | Re-Upped | Colette | Paris, France |
| 2011 | Focus: Erik Parker | Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth | Fort Worth, TX |
| 2010 | Endless Anytime | Honor Fraser | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2010 | Adapt | Galleri Faurschou | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| 2009 | Crisis Creation | Paul Kasmin Gallery | New York, NY |
| 2008 | Between Lines | Marianne Boesky | New York, NY |
| 2007 | Liner Notes | De Appel | Amsterdam |
| 2007 | Damage Control | Honor Fraser | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2006 | Half Cocked | Taka Ishii Gallery | Tokyo, Japan |
Awards
- Rema Hort-Mann Foundation Grant
- Purchase College 25th Anniversary Scholarship
- Rose Scholarship
- Durhurst Family Scholarship
- Excellence in Painting
- Merit Scholarship in Painting and Drawing
- Denbela-Ortiz Galeria Outstanding Scholarship in Visual Art
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, Peter Saul