Welcome back to ARTMATTERS: The Podcast for Artists.

Today I'm speaking with Erik Sommer, a New York-based painter who is also the founder of Mott Projects, a contemporary art project space.

Sommer's work explores chance, beauty, and the attempt to control time through unconventional mark-making techniques. His practice incorporates industrial materials like concrete and drywall, reflecting his interest in urban decay and found textures.

After 15 years in an East Harlem studio, Erik relocated to the Catskills where he founded Mott Projects, which has collaborated with David Zwirner's PLATFORM and galleries in Los Angeles and Germany. 

In today's episode we discuss Erik’s transition from history major to self-taught painter, his philosophy of removing the artist's hand from the work, and how he balances studio practice with running a gallery all while working a full-time job. Erik and I also discuss artist-run project spaces vs. traditional galleries and his approach to supporting experimental artist projects and unconventional ideas.

Before we get into it, I'd like to help get the word out and say that if you're in New York City next week, Mott Projects is presenting a very special group show on Tuesday, September 9th, titled "San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, Sincerely." The exhibition is happening on the Lower East Side, and will feature 19 fascinating artists.

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Upcoming Exhibition Details: 

[SD, LA, NY, Sincerely]

September 9

5-9pm

C/O MI CASA STUDIOS 

70 Hester Street NY, NY 10002

Episode Details:

host: Isaac Mann
www.isaacmann.com
insta: @isaac.mann

guest: Erik Sommer
www.eriksommer.art
insta: @erik__sommer

www.mottprojects.com
insta: @mott_projects