NICKOLAS R. ERKER

ARTIST BIO:

Nick Erker, a Kansas City, MO artist, explains, "Our hometowns and places of origin play a major defining role in who we are. I use color and narrative to give deep meaning to my story and the many people who grew up in the small, nameless American towns that pepper the land."

Born and raised in a small Kansas town, I learned much from my large family. One of the greatest skills I learned from my family is the art of storytelling. It is so important for us to maintain a tradition of passing our history from one generation to the next. My family were experts in the oral tradition. I have spent my professional life depicting images from that oral tradition and combining them with the visual arts. These images not only recall my past but also invite the viewer to recall their past through relating to the bright, dreamlike images seen in my work.  Memories and the fragility of our memories are at the core of my artwork.

A major part of my personal story involves my work as an art teacher. In that time, I have had the opportunity to teach future artists new techniques. In turn, my students have taught me new and inventive ways of using materials, sometimes by making errors. In my work, I include errors and misused materials that have led to new ways of applying paint and texture to a surface. These colors and textures add to the experience, giving more depth and interest to the narratives.

I received my degree in Visual Arts Education from The University of Kansas and a master’s degree in art history from The University of Missouri-Kansas City. I have spent my career educating art students in the nuances of art and design as well as operating my own painting studio. My artwork is currently represented by The Leopold Gallery in Kansas City, MO, and the Houska Gallery in St. Louis, MO.

Growing up in a small Kansas town, Nick Erker learned a great deal from his large family. He learned the art of storytelling. For Erker, the tradition of passing history from one generation to the next is incredibly important. His own family were experts in the oral tradition. Spending his professional life depicting images from the oral tradition of his family, Erker’s work intrigues in it’s folkloric depiction of everyday life. The images are meant not only to recall his own past, but also to invite viewers to relate and recall their own past through the paintings.

Erker lives and works in Kansas City. Previous exhibitions include Anton Art Center, Jones Gallery August Group Show, Verum Ultimum Gallery, and Art School KC Solo Exhibition.