Artist Statement
My work is a collage of random thoughts and inspiration layered together through a series of improvisational sessions. Much of the content comes from my everyday life experiences. The end result is sometimes convoluted and abstract. It’s similar to a dream, where things get mixed together in strange ways. My theories and interpretations are documented for every painting, but remain open to interpretation by anyone.
Bio
Erik Von Ploennies began experimenting with art in 2004 (age: 35), after visiting the Guggenheim Museum - NYC and seeing Vasily Kandinsky's, "Painting With White Border". His formal education is in electrical engineering and has no art training. Erik left his engineering career in 2007, and moved to Brooklyn, New York in July 2007 to pursue his interests in art. He is actively exhibiting in New York City. Erik classifies his artwork as modern primitive abstract, and mixes painting, drawing, and a variety of mediums and styles together.
Chronology
1969: Born, Erik Von Ploennies, Orange County, California.
1979: Enters artwork in Keep Your City Clean competition for the Anaheim Elementary School District and wins first prize.
1984: Inspired by the guitar playing of Randy Rhoads, and Eddie Van Halen; purchases an electric guitar.
1987: Graduates from Loara High School - Anaheim, CA and enrolls in Fullerton Community College, CA. as a music major.
1989: Changes major to electrical engineering with the goal of designing audio electronics for musicians. Plays guitar in various bands.
1991: Graduates from Fullerton Community College with an AA in Engineering, and transfers to California State Polytechnic University of Pomona. Continues to pursue BS in electrical engineering. Continues playing guitar in various bands.
1995: Graduates with a BS in electrical engineering and begins working as an electrical/audio engineer.
2004: Travels to New York City for a summer vacation. Visits the Guggenheim Museum and finds inspiration through Vasily Kandinsky's "Painting With White Border." Purchases an assortment of art supplies and begins experimenting with art through pencil and oil pastel drawings.
2005: Continues experimentation with art through watercolors, colored pencils, charcoal, and oil pastels, on paper.
2006: Begins experimenting with acrylic paints and mixing them with charcoal, colored pencils, oil pastels and newspaper on wood or canvas.
2007: Moves from California to Brooklyn, NY to further pursue interests in art. Begins exhibiting in small group exhibitions in New York City.
Education:
BSEE (Electrical Engineering), 1995 - California State Polytechnic University of Pomona.
Select Exhibition History:
2008
Wytwornia Theater, Warsaw Poland – HAJDPARK: Visual arts festival.
Brick House Gallery, Sacramento, CA
GAGA Arts Festival, Garnerville, NY - Self-Taught/Outsider Art group exhibition.
World Culture Open Gallery - New York, NY
On The Bright Side Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
TRA Gallery, Brooklyn NY - Juried group exhibition.
Francesca Arcilesi & Gallery JAC, New York, NY
Stain, Brooklyn, NY
2007
Avenue A - Restaurant & Gallery, New York, NY
Bullet: Urban Artists Collaborative, New York, NY
Niagara, New York, NY
Online Publications:
2008
Mungbeing – Issue #21, pg. 5-9
Proteus Magazine - Issue #4, pg. 46-47
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Erik Vonploennies
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