1xRUN Thru Interview
Girl With Floral Headband by Erik Mark Sandberg
1xRun: You have been pretty busy this year, any thing new and exciting that’s been happening so far?
Erik Mark Sandberg: Sure, I’m excited about a new fashion collaboration with W.I.A Collections Barcelona that just hit catwalks, just completed some new work for a group exhibition at B15 Gallery in Copenhagen opening March 27th, also in production of a big pop-up solo exhibition opening late fall in Los Angeles through Segal Projects. The exhibition is a completely new body of work.
1xRUN: Sounds exciting, tell us a little bit about “Girl With Floral Headband” , what materials did you use to create the original painting?
Erik Mark Sandberg: The original painting was created for a solo exhibition titled “Wonderfully Nutritious” at Gallery Mito in Barcelona in 2010. It was created using Oil, airbrush, silkscreen, and resin on panel.
1xRun: How did the idea and execution came about? How long did it take from start to finish?
Erik Mark Sandberg: The genesis of the first hairy child was in 2008. The hair started off in a broad sense to be a metaphorical vehicle for effects of populace consumer culture, idol worship, emulation of celebrity, etc…. it’s the paradox of the obese girl who was simultaneously a victim of fast food marketing and sexualized teen fashion. I’m interested in how to show the psychological aftermath of that in a work. 
The portraits work almost as a snap shot of reverse Darwinism. I’m always interested in the amount of imagery projected at us on a daily basis. I’m curious how these images came to be, how accurately they depict truth, and are they of real value. This piece took a few weeks, due to the multiple materials in the works construction.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Erik Mark Sandberg: It’s pink and hairy.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Erik Mark Sandberg: Interest.
1xRun: Describe this print in one gut reaction word for us.
Erik Mark Sandberg: Pink.
1xRun: When did you first start making art? What was your first piece?
Erik Mark Sandberg: Professionally, after I completed my undergrad. Not sure.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Erik Mark Sandberg: I remember being pretty moved by Rodin’s ‘Gates of Hell’ sculpture as a child, as well as by the sculptors of GI Joe, He-Man.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? What is your environment like when you work?
Erik Mark Sandberg: Everything from country, hip-hop, gospel, bluegrass, metal, holiday, etc, My station shuffle on Pandora is a little eclectic. When music isn’t on, I like to paint to binges of Netflix space documentaries, Sons of Guns, or some random Historical documentary.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it? The last?
Erik Mark Sandberg: I bought a Hummel Figurine when I was a child with some birthday cash, because my mother was collecting them and I thought it was of value. Yes, somewhere in a box. The last piece was a Souther Salazar Post-It Note from the GR2 show last month.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Erik Mark Sandberg: Website – Facebook – Twitter – @erik_m_sandberg
-1xRUN