Erin D. Garcia

Where are you from and where do you currently reside?

I’m from North Carolina/Alabama, I live in LA.

Have your geographical changes influenced the direction of your work?

I'm sure it has, LA seems to hold a certain feeling that anything is possible.

From the ACE Hotel to Personnel of New York, you’ve completed numerous large-scale projects. Has there been one that sticks out in your mind as particularly challenging or rewarding?

The wall at The Ace Palm Springs was probably the most rewarding because it was the first time I had worked on that scale. I knew that once I figured out the process I could work on any size project.

Your 5 Elements in 5 Colors series employs combinations of 5 recurring forms with 5 repeating colors in different orientations. What are you discovering as you create these works? What do you intend for the viewer to take away?

I'm finding out what rules hold the pieces together, common relationships of form and color, and different strategies to control the elements. This piece is about cycling color relationships through 5 drawings, I used the repetition of shapes and composition to focus solely on the color.

In addition to your works on paper, you work as an installation artist and create a variety of unique, space-specific artworks in your bright, geometric style. With each space being so different, how do you approach the different installation projects? Do you prefer guidelines or free rein within the space?

The space always defines the limitations; wall size, architectural details, smoke alarms, these always have to be worked around. I'll visit a space then decide which piece will work well for it.

What’s next for you?

I'm heading to Japan to work on a new book and few new to-be-announced projects.