About this episode
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. You can now support this podcast by clicking HERE where you can donate using PATREON or PayPal! If you're enjoying the podcast so far, please rate, review, subscribe and SHARE ON INSTAGRAM! If you have an any questions you want answered, write in to artmatterspodcast@gmail.com 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