معرفی
Erin Harmon is a Professor of Art and Art History at Rhodes College, where she holds the prestigious James F. Ruffin Chair of Art. Based in the Tennessee Delta, she maintains an active studio practice while teaching courses ranging from Intro Drawing to Advanced Studio Art and Senior Thesis. Her work has been exhibited nationally in both group and solo exhibitions at venues including Field Projects in New York, LAUNCH Gallery in Los Angeles, and the Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis.
- MFA in Painting from Rhode Island School of Design (2003)
- Certificate in Reflective Collegiate Teaching from Brown University (2003)
- BA in Studio Art from San Diego State University (2001)
Harmon's creative practice exists at the intersection of painting, sculpture, and installation art. Her work deliberately occupies the twilight zone between real and unreal, object and place, creating immersive environments that viewers can inhabit both physically and mentally. Influenced by theatrical painting techniques and her previous cut paper collages, she creates architecturally scaled cut paintings and animations that function as sites for events or performances. Her practice explores the tension between flat and three-dimensional space, celebrating the interplay between fantasy and reality while confronting manufactured un-nature. The physical act of making her large-scale works becomes performative, as she literally stands on the canvases during creation.
Analysis of Harmon's recent exhibitions reveals a consistent exploration of spatial relationships and material transformation. Her works often incorporate painted muslin cut-outs, ceramic elements, and mixed media constructions that blur boundaries between painting and sculpture, landscape and object. The recurring themes of migration patterns, natural environments, and constructed realities reflect her interest in how humans interact with and transform their surroundings. Her collaborations with other artists and performers demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach that expands traditional notions of painting into theatrical and immersive experiences.
- James F. Ruffin Chair of Art at Rhodes College
- Commissioned set designer for Ballet Memphis (Flyway 2014 & 2019)
- Commissioned by The Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis
- Commissioned by Memphis in May International Festival
- Founding member of Tiger Strikes Asteroid Los Angeles art collective
As an educator at Rhodes College, Harmon teaches across the Art and Art History curriculum, from foundational courses to advanced studio practice and senior thesis supervision. Her pedagogical approach reflects her artistic practice, emphasizing material exploration and conceptual development. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, her numerous commissions and exhibitions demonstrate significant professional support for her creative work. Harmon maintains an active studio practice in the Tennessee Delta, where she continues to develop large-scale installations that challenge viewers' perceptions of space and materiality.
Harmon is a founding member of Tiger Strikes Asteroid Los Angeles, an artist-run collective that provides exhibition opportunities and professional development for contemporary artists. This collective functions as both a physical and conceptual space for artistic experimentation, aligning with Harmon's interest in collaborative and interdisciplinary practices. Her studio work often involves complex material processes that require specialized equipment and space for creating large-scale installations and animations.
