"My artistic practice has taken me on a lifelong “shoestring” adventure—packed with action and magic—that has variously found me training in Beijing with Kung Fu masters; tango dancing in Buenos Aires; in riots in Chile; eating dinner on dirt floors with Tibetan exiles in Nepal and at the dinner tables of famed filmmakers in Italy; on the couches of Panthers and Weather Underground; in medicinal ceremonies in the Amazonian jungle; at Tahrir Square with a million Egyptians... I am a humanist artist: unapologetically narrative, and for whom art and the social world are inseparable. I use the proceeds of the sales of my art to witness the world firsthand—i.e.-when I sell a painting, I buy a plane ticket and go!
It all began with a natural integration of my sociopolitical beliefs with a sheer joy of art-making, and has since developed into an artistic praxis by which I integrate the human realm- its individuals, cultures, and struggles- with its refuse, in order to address the issues I feel most passionate about. I have been to more than 50 countries, immersing myself, to the best of my abilities, in the daily life of countries like Nepal and Nicaragua, cities such as Istanbul and Caracas, studying languages, getting around on foot or by bus, sketching, making friends, and collecting disinherited commercial “waste”. Inevitably I return to my studio in Santa Fe, NM, to create series of works that are exhibited and collected internationally."
-Erin Currier
Artist Statement
What compels my artistic practice is the desire to convey that which I have found to be true in all of the countries I have traveled to: that our commonalities as human beings far outweigh our differences. Divisions are often either superficial or artificially created based on racial, economic, and national ideologies. Where we are similar is of a more profound metaphysical caliber: the bond between brothers, the love between mother and child, the kinship shared through creative endeavors; these run like threads in the great fabric of generations.
The reasons behind my use of recycled material are multilayered. First, I believe that artists have always used materials close-at-hand. I use what is most readily available to my era—waste from our globalized consumer culture.
Secondly, my use of trash is a spiritual practice in the sense that it is re-transfigured into something of beauty.
Finally, using post-consumer waste is a socio-political act: it is both a form of recycling, and it expresses our interconnectedness and commonalities as human beings—in what we value, share, consume, and cast away.
Artist Resume
Born: 1975, Haverhill, MA
Home: Santa Fe, NM
Education: College of Santa Fe, BFA Theatre Design (magna cum laude)
Solo Exhibitions:
2009-2025: Blue Rain Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2024 & 2025: Wildflower Playhouse, Taos, NM
2018: “La Frontera,” Harwood Museum of Art, Taos, NM
2017: “La Frontera,” University of Arizona Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
2016: “Song of the West,” Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque, NM
2013: “Soldiers, Saints, and Psychos,” Kohi Kulturaum, Karlsruhe, Germany
2012: “From California to Cairo,” Hamilton Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2009: “Schoolgirls and Schoolboys” Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM
2009: “Portenas,” Masottatorres Contemporanea, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2007: “In Solidarity,” Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Embassy, Washington, D.C.
2004: “Selected Works,” TOPS Gallery, Malibu, CA
2003: “Liberation Series,” College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM
2000-2009: Parks Gallery, Taos, NM
Group Exhibitions
2000-2025: “Arte des Descartes,” Stables Gallery, Taos, NM
2025: Smith Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2024: “Women Artists,” Governors Gallery, Capitol Building, Santa Fe, NM
2023: “Amerika,” Kohi Kulturaum, Karlsruhe, Germany
2022-2025: “El Dia de Los Muertos,” Espanola, NM
2022 &2013-2019: LA Art Show, Los Angeles, CA
2021&2022: La Matadora Gallery, Joshua Tree, CA
2021: “Here,” Sanitary Tortilla Factory, Albuquerque, NM
2020&2022: Palm Springs International Art Fair, Palm Springs, CA
2019: “Open Studio Exhibition,” Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency, Joshua Tree, CA
2019: “Changing Ideals: The Tia Collection,” The Rockwell Museum, Corning, NY
2018-2020: "Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms," The Henry Ford
Museum, Dearborn, MI; The George Washington University Museum, &The Textile Museum,
Washington, D.C; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX; Norman Rockwell Museum,
Stockbridge, MA
2018-2019: “Because It's Time: Unraveling Race & Place in New Mexico,” National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM
2018-2019: Without Borders/Arte Sin Fronteras, El Pueblo History Museum, Pueblo, CO
2018: “Revolution,” Kohi Kulturaum, Karlsruhe, Germany
2016: “Modernist Intersections: The Tia Collection,” University of Arizona Museum of Art, Tuscon, AZ
2016: “The Legacy of Fred Harvey in New Mexico,” SF Community Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2016: “Fahrenheit 451,” Lovetts Gallery, Tulsa, OK
2015: “Song of the West,” Kohi Kulturaum, Karlsruhe, Germany
2015: “Lollipop Guild Invitational,” Lovetts Gallery, Tulsa, OK
2014: “Uncharted Territory,” Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque, NM
2013: “Fine Folk of New Mexico,” SF Community Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2013-2015 “LA Art Show,” Los Angeles County Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
2012: “Finite Passing of an Infinite Passion,” SCA Contemporary, Albuquerque, NM
2011: “100 Years of Women Rockin’ the World,” Artrage Gallery, Syracuse, NY
2011: “18 Days,” Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM
2010: “TWO,” Rooftops, Berlin, DE
2009: “Vision Shift,” Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, NM
2009: Arte BA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2009: “Salvo,” Jack Fischer Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2007-2011: Masottatorres Contemporanea, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2008: “FOCA Show,” Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM
2007-2008: “Originals,” National Museum of Women in the Arts, Harwood Museum, NM
2007: “Lifting the Veil: New Mexico Women and the Tricultural Myth,” Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, Santa Fe, NM
2005-08: MJ Higgins Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2005: “Heroes,” Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM
2005: “La Madre Poderosa,” Harwood Museum, Taos, NM
2003: “FOCA Exhibition,” Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM
1999-2006 Tops Gallery, Malibu, CA
Art in Public Places/Murals
“Pino Casarini Inspired Circus Mural,” Piazza Caffe, Santa Fe, NM 2025
“Tres Graces of New Mexico Mural,” Wildflower Playhouse, Taos, NM 2024
“Double Time Dance Studio Mural,” Double Time Dance Studio, Albuquerque, NM 2023
“Zoe Kravitz Mural,” Fazenda do Lenny Kravitz, Brazil 2023
Save Art Space Billboard, Albuquerque, NM 2024 & 2025
“Tres Homies,” Escondido, Santa Fe, NM
“Carlos Gardel as the Buddha,” Cafecito, Santa Fe, NM
Books & Albums
Last Sketches, Erin Currier, CSF Publishing 2017
Carnet d’Amerika, Erin Currier, CSF Publishing 2016
Carnet d’Asie, Erin Currier, CSF Publishing 2013
The Paintings of Erin Currier, CSF Publishing, 2012
Ordinary Mysticism (cover), Mirabai Starr, Harper Collins 2024
Poderosas (cover) Dr Lisette Garcia, Sunyata 2020
Julian of Norwich (cover), Mirabai Starr, Sounds True, 2019
Wild Mercy (cover), Mirabai Starr, Sounds True, 2018
Modernist Intersections: The Tia Collection, The University of Arizona Press, 2016
Even the Devil Gets the Blues (cover), Cedell Davis, Sunyata Records 2016
Life in Schools (cover), Peter McLaren, Paradigm Publishers, 2015
Singing Earth (cover), Barrett Martin, Sunyata, 2012
Last Words (cover), Screaming Trees, Sunyata, Records 2011
Sketchbook Confidential, North Light Books, 2010
Women Artists Datebook , Syracuse Cultural Workers, 2022, 2016,2013,2012,2010, 2009
Education, and the Struggle for Liberation (cover), Mustafa Yunus Eryman, Hampton, 2009
100 Artists of the Southwest, Douglas Bullis, Schiffer, 2006
Pedagogy & Praxis in the Age of Empire (cover), Nathalia Jaramillo, Rowman&Littlefield, 2006
Capitalists and Conquerors (cover), Peter McLaren, Rowman&Littlefield, 2005
Teaching Against Global Capitalism (cover), Peter McLaren, Rowman&Littlefield, 2005
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American Art Collector Magazine 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014
(cover), 2013, 2012, 2011, 1010
Daily News, London UK 2021
Forbes 2021
New York Magazine 2021
Santa Fe New Mexican Pasatiempo 2021, 2016, 2015, 2014 (cover), 2012, 2010,2008,2006,2004
Santa Fe Reporter, 2021-2025,2020 (cover), 2015-2019, 2013(cover), 2012, 2006, 2005
Taos News, 2019-2025, 2018 (cover), 2015, 2014 (cover), 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008 (cover),
2005-2007, 2004 (cover), 2001-2003, 2000 (cover)
Art Voices Magazine, 2019 (cover)
LA Weekly, 2019
Santa Fean, 2019 (cover), 2009-2015, 2007, 2004, 2003
New Mexico Magazine, 2017
Western Art & Architecture, 2017
THE Magazine, 2014-2016, 2007-2011, 2004, 2003, 1999
Professional Artist Magazine, 2015
Pasticcio, 2014
Malibu Magazine, 2012, 2005
Southwest Art, 2010
Buenos Aires Herald, 2009
Pagina 12, Argentina, 2009
Paseante Extranerjero, Argentina, 2009
Raw Guide, Argentina, 2009
Welt der Frau Magazine, Austria, 2008
Washington Post, 2007
Pacifica Radio, 2007
Bottom Line, 2006
Art News, 2004
Atomica, 2004
American Style Magazine, 2003
Utne Reader, 2002
National Public Radio, 2002, 2000
New Mexico Magazine, 2002
Su Casa Magazine, 2001
Television/Video
Blue Rain Gallery Podcast 2021-2025
Fox News 2022
Art With Brian Podcast 2022
CBS Morning Show 2019
PBS Television “Colores”, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJXWoCsbVtM
Santa Fe Reporter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a-SzWaKYZc
Tele Sur , Venezuela 2006
Residencies
2020: Orient Point Lighthouse Artist Residency, Orient Point, NY
2019 Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency, Joshua Tree, CA
2019 Acadia National Park Artist in Residence Program, Acadia, ME
2010 Rooftops Artist Residency, Berlin, Germany
Selected Collections & Commissions
Bernardo Bertolucci
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Embassy, Washington, DC
Lisa Bonet
California State University
President Hugo Chavez John Cusack
Estate of Jennifer Jones
Whoopi Goldberg
Mr. & Ms. Mel Gibson
Linda Hamilton
The Harwood Museum, Taos, NM
Dennis Hopper
Coretta Scott King
Jeremy Piven
Julia Roberts & Danny Moder
National Institute of Flamenco, Albuquerque, NM
Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Santana
Martin Sheen
State of New Mexico Public Collection, Santa Fe, NM
University of Arizona Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
Come visit Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe, NM to view the unique and masterfully crafted original paintings of Erin Currier.
