About

Madison, Wisconsin based artist Erin Liljegren may dig through your trash in search of inspirational materials for her art. She loves re-purposing discarded items into her work to give them a second chance at life. Primarily focusing on 2-dimensional surfaces in paint, drawing, and printmaking, the surfaces used are often recycled cardboard, wood scraps to packing materials.

Erin’s choice of materials relates to the subject matter of her work and explores concepts such as: the environment, factory production, social injustice, capitalism, human habitat and politics. Although these topics tend to be heavy in nature, bright colors and a satirical slant make her work approachable.

Erin received her BFA from UW-Madison in 2007 and continues to enjoy life in Madison with her family.

Artist Statement:
Environments created by humans and the natural environment impacted by humans are central concepts in my work, which stem from my long-standing interest in cultural anthropology. I focus attention on the deprivation of natural resources, societal and environmental decay, over-consumption, industry, social injustices, and the impact of our actions in an overpopulated world.

Two-dimensional mixed materials have been my primary choice in media thus far. Repurposed objects are used whenever possible in construction. I am conscious of the need to reuse anything and everything whenever possible to reduce the load in the landfill and to also accept the challenge of using non-traditional materials in my practice. It gives me a great sense of purpose and joy to elevate a detritus item to something that holds monetary and creative value.

The content of my work holds dire messages of environmental destruction, so I choose bright colors and playful images to reach the viewer in a lighter, more approachable way. My style is a mix of detailed line work and rough, expressive strokes that are more instinctual in nature. I am striving for a balance in my work between such polarities and really enjoy figuring it out. That’s my happy place.

Thanks for visiting!