ARTMATTERS: The Podcast for Artists
ARTMATTERS is an intimate, bi-weekly podcast featuring in-studio conversations between host Isaac Mann and professional
artists from around the world. Now in its second season with over 55 episodes, the show has become a vital resource for the
contemporary art community, exploring everything from technical practices and daily studio insights to career advice, creative
blocks, and the emotional realities of making art.
Host Isaac Mann brings both the perspective of a working artist and the curiosity of a thoughtful interviewer to each conversation,
creating a space where artists can discuss not just their techniques and influences, but also the vulnerable aspects of creative life-
hope, depression, expectation, success, and failure.
Whether exploring technical processes, relationship dynamics, or tips for a healthier practice, ARTMATTERS offers
both emerging and established artists a rare glimpse into the real experiences behind successful creative careers.
ARTMATTERS: The Podcast for Artists
#59 with Erik Sommer
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
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