by Chris Erickson
Artist’s Bio
Chris Erickson is an artist recognized for his captivating use of color in contemporary works that blur the line between sculpture and painting. His art encourages viewers to examine color as expression and its relationship to human behavior.
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Born in Denver, he finds inspiration in the collision of pop culture and urban expression. Erickson’s creative journey began in the 80’s, inspired by the visuals of the skate and snowboard scene, His work is Influenced by the energy of decks, street art, and punk rock flyers.
His bodies of work reflect these experiences and expose his ties to graphic design, graffiti art, and fine art techniques. Erickson's images are communicated by the use of spray paint, acrylics, canvas, and panel, and frequently merge industrial design and fabrication.
This body of work titled “Superaltramega," channels the relentless flow of stimuli that inundates modern life, distilling it into its purest essence. Through his art, Erickson invites viewers to contemplate how this influx of imagery shapes our perceptions, infiltrates our consciousness, and ultimately influences our ways of thinking. He intentionally does not title all works specifically to avoid influencing the interpretation of the viewer.
His art, including public installations like the "Melting Gondola" and the Aspen Wheeler Street Mural, transforms public spaces into vibrant reflections of the human experience.
Project Design
Public art meets public safety in a pavement mural designed to improve the pedestrian zone at four busy intersections along the South Galena Street and East Cooper Avenue corridor.
The mural project is a collaborative effort between the city’s engineering department and Aspen Public Art and is designed to complement ongoing work in the area while improving the pedestrian safety through creativity. The installation reflects Aspen’s continued commitment to integrating public art into civic spaces and infrastructure projects, creating opportunities to support local artists while bringing energy and character to the downtown core.
“This project is a great example of how safety improvements can also create opportunities for community connection and artistic expression,” said Jack Danneberg, senior project manager.
Artistic Vision
“In creating the design for this mural, I am considering the rich cultural history of Aspen.'“
“The landscapes and vibrant colors found in nature serve as a constant source of inspiration for my work. The beauty of the geographical landscape infuses the hearts and minds of the residents, particularly artists. Using the flower as a form has been pervasive in my most recent work. With so much uncertainty in an increasingly turbulent world, the flower represents symmetry, joy, growth, and beauty. The symmetry contained in each unique blossom inspires the shapes and colors I sample from the natural world. The concept behind the design of the mural is intended to celebrate and pay homage to the flowers that have chosen the hillsides and mountaintops of this unique region as their home. The city of Aspen experiences intense seasonal changes and extreme weather events that sculpt the landscape we see, and the idea that these delicate blossoms can thrive in such conditions is inspiring.”
– Chris Erickson
Learn More
In Bloom is presented in partnership with the City of Aspen Engineering Department