Erika Rachel Bianconi (1984, NY, USA)
CREATIVE MISSION:
To transform your life by evoking emotions that move and inspire you. To tell stories, share observations you relate to, and improve your experience of the everyday. To be a conduit between you and your best future self.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT:
My paintings are a reflection of the shared human experience, a window into the universal emotions that bind us together. With canvas and paint, mixed media, silk screens and cloth, and photographs, I narrate stories like pages from my diary, yet they resonate with the collective narratives of our lives. I believe in the power of introspection, echoing Socrates' wisdom that "the unexamined life isn’t worth living." My goal is to invite viewers to see themselves mirrored in my work, fostering empathy and understanding.
My creative process is akin to nurturing a child. I care for each artwork until it finds its rightful place, enriching the lives of collectors who connect with its essence. This symbiotic relationship fulfills a purpose greater than art itself — it enriches and transforms lives, leaving a lasting impact on those who engage with it.
BIOGRAPHY:
Erika Rachel Bianconi (born 1984, US) is an outsider artist known for her abstract paintings and versatile artistic approach. Her journey into art was influenced by her upbringing, marked by exposure to profound teachings from gurus like Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and Werner Erhard, instilling in her a deep sense of introspection and empathy.
Erika's artistry transcends the boundaries of the art world into the everyday, acting as an emotional confidant delving into the themes of human experiences, beauty, love, self-awareness, workflow, observation, and efficiency. Her work has graced well-recognized venues such as The Guild Hall Museum, Ashawagh Hall, The Hunterdon Art Museum, and Princeton University’s Campus, earning her a place in the private collections of esteemed art connoisseurs like Lawrence Benenson and Cyma Zarghami.
Throughout her career, Erika has embraced diverse spaces, showcasing her creations in both "high" and "low" environments, from vacant office buildings to museum walls, and luxury retail windows. Her notable presence in publications such as L’Etage, Posture, and a six-page feature in CREATIV, alongside her cover story in Hopewell Valley Neighbors, further highlights the public’s enjoyment of her creative output. Her passion extends beyond the show walls, as she actively engages with communities through workshops, live demonstrations, fundraisers, and collaborative projects, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and well-being.
Erika's artistic journey is a testament to the transformative power of art, inviting viewers to delve deep into their own narratives and find solace in shared human experiences. She continues to inspire and uplift through her evocative creations, leaving an enduring impact on hearts and minds alike.
2023
Selected group exhibitions:
A Return to Art, Montgomery Arts Council, Princeton NJ
Makers Alley, River Mills Knoll, Frenchtown NJ
Ekphrastic Exhibition- The Relationship of Words and Art, ArtWRKD, Newtown PA
Wearable Art Fashion Show and Fiber Exhibition, ArtWRKD, Newtown PA
Scrambled Gallery, New Hope PA
Winter ArtWRKD Show, Newtown PA
Live Demonstrations:
Closing reception at ArtWRKD, Newtown PA
Press:
“Resident Feature - Cover Story”, Hopewell Neighbors Magazine, January 2023
2022
Workshops:
Blue Moon Equestrian, Coopersburg PA
Selected Group Exhibitions:
Poetry Meets Art, River Union Stage, Frenchtown NJ
Makers Alley, River Mills Knoll, Frenchtown NJ
A Return to Art, Montgomery Arts Council, Princeton NJ
Hopewell Tour Des Arts, Highland Design Farm, Hopewell NJ
Hobart Art Show- Art in the Native Landscape, Steinbeiser Farm, Frenchtown NJ
Place Summer Series, Big Bear Outdoor Gear, Lambertville NJ
Hopewell Tour Des Arts - Holiday Show, Highland Design Farm, Hopewell NJ
2021
Selected Group Exhibitions:
Near and Far, Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Virtual Exhibit
T.H.A.T (The Hunterdon Art Tour) + Open Studio, Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton NJ
A Return to Art, Montgomery Arts Council, Princeton NJ
Hopewell Tour Des Arts, Highland Design Farm, Hopewell NJ
Benefits:
Fun for Humans, Food for Horses Workshop, Baling Twine and Hope, Kingwood NJ
2020
Workshops:
Children’s Abstract Workshop, Newtown PA
Benefits:
Donation Race to Benefit the Victims of the Beirut Explosion, Online/Global
2019
Selected Group Exhibitions:
T.H.A.T (The Hunterdon Art Tour) + Open Studio, Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton NJ
Residencies:
The Inn Between, Concan TX
Live Demonstrations:
Robert Graham, Columbus Circle, New York NY
Creative Community Engagement:
Creative Collaborator- Symphony for the Senses, The Milford House, Milford NJ
Lead Artist- Denim Promotional Event, Robert Graham, Short Hills NJ
Creative Collaborator- Lofi Jazz Party, Hops/Scotch Basement, Doylestown PA
Benefits:
FACT NOLA Art Auction, Marsha Brown, New Hope PA
Art Jam Group Show to Benefit HomeFront, Princeton NJ
Collaborations:
Feed Your Obsession Moxy Guitars
2018
Selected Group Exhibitions:
The Collaborators, BSB Gallery, Trenton NJ
Out of the Ashes, HV Arts Council, Hopewell NJ
T.H.A.T (The Hunterdon Art Tour) + Open Studio, Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton NJ
Public Installations:
I Found Myself in the Delaware River Towns, Outside the White Cube, New Hope PA/Lambertville NJ
Live Demonstrations:
Frenchtown Pride, Sunbeam Park, Frenchtown NJ
Creative Community Engagement:
Panelist- Artist’s Talk, BSB Gallery, Trenton NJ
Organizer- Dusk at Dohm Alley Potluck, Dohm Alley, Princeton NJ
Organizer- Dohm Alley Dance Party, Dohm Alley, Princeton NJ
Art Instructor- Paint.Team, NJEA Teachers Conference, Atlantic City NJ
Creative Collaborator- Symphony for the Senses, The Milford House, Milford NJ
Benefits:
Hunterdon Land Trust Benefit Auction, Beaver Brook Country Club, Clinton NJ
Press:
“A View to Cherish”, The Princeton Packet, July 2018 (View)
2017
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
Holiday, Tag Heuer, King of Prussia PA
Erika Rachel, The Mansion Inn, New Hope PA
New Hope Celebrates with Erika Rachel, PROP & r.e.d.Storation, New Hope PA
Selected Group Exhibitions:
T.H.A.T (The Hunterdon Art Tour) + Open Studio, Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton NJ
Raw Elements, The "A" Space Gallery, New Hope PA
Pop-Ups & Juried Shows:
Ez2Steal, Prallsville Mills, Stockton PA
The Art Of Burlesque & Silent Art Auction, The Mansion Inn, New Hope PA
Common Threads 5: Future Forward, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington NJ
Public installations:
2017-2020 A Case For Impromptus, Dohm Alley, Princeton NJ
Live Demonstrations:
Holiday Collaboration, Tag Heuer, The Plaza at King of Prussia PA
Creative Community Engagement:
Bird Operator- The Hatch Parade, ArtYard, Frenchtown NJ
Featured Regional Artist- Del Val Regional High School Regional Art Fair, Alexandria NJ
Co-host- Prohibition Era Costume and Dinner Party, HopScotch, Doylestown PA
Lead DJ- 90’s Themed Costume Party, The Rat, Frenchtown NJ
Docent- Hopewell Tour Des Arts, Hopewell Train Station, Hopewell NJ
Press:
"Art with A Social Conscience” DelawareRiverTowns.com, July 2017 (View)
"Hundreds Come to See Talented Tweens, Teens in Hunterdon", NJ.com, April 2017 (View)
"Discovered Talents: Erika Rachel", CREATIV Magazine, February 2017 (View)
2016
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
Erika Rachel, Pulp, Frenchtown NJ
Erika Rachel, Prallsville Mills, Stockton NJ
Erika Rachel, Reinboth Design Group, Lambertville NJ
Selected Group Exhibitions:
WIP (Works In Progress) + Artist Panel Discussion NeueHouse, Midtown NYC
Conception, Tribeca, NYC
CT4 Power of Women, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington NJ
Pop-Ups & Juried Shows:
Fill The Mills!! Holiday Pop-up Shebang, Prallsville Mills, Stockton NJ
Celebrating Farms, Indian Mountain School, Lakeville CT
Residencies:
Sourland Coffee, Pennington NJ
Live Demonstrations:
Award Winning Port, Hopewell Valley Vineyard, Pennington NJ
Press:
“Conception Contemporary Art Fair in NYC”, L’Etage Magazine, July 2016 (View)
"Interview with Artist Erika Rachel", Crafty 88, March 2016 (View)
2015
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
Self-Made, The "A" Space Gallery at New Hope Arts Center, New Hope PA
Erika Rachel, Dop Dop, Soho NYC
Interiors, Paul Labreque, Upper East Side NYC
Selected Group Exhibitions:
Art Nation, S Artspace Gallery, Soho NYC
SIS Members Show, Ashawagh Hall, East Hampton NY
Pop-Ups & Juried Shows:
Art All Night, ArtWorks, Trenton NJ
Art & Wine Trail, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington NJ
Innovations Exhibition, Munich RE, Princeton NJ
Art Fairs:
ArtExpo, Pier 94, NYC
Live Demonstrations:
Industry Night, Chef's Club by F&W, New York NY
Benefits:
St. Baldwick's Group Art Show, Philadelphia PA
Press:
"A-Space Gallery's Solo Artist is Self-Made" Bucks County Herald, October 2015 (View)
2014
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
Beauty and Truth, Body Graphics Portside Parlor and Gallery, Philadelphia PA
The Art of Coffee, Buck’s Espresso Bar, Lambertville NJ
Erika Rachel, Dop Dop, Soho NYC
Selected Group Exhibitions:
Freedom Art & Music Gallery, Frenchtown NJ
90 Main Gallery, Flemington NJ
ArtWorks Selects Show, ArtWorks, Trenton NJ
Members Exhibition, Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton NY
Pop-Ups & Juried Shows:
Art All Day, Segal-LeBate, Trenton NJ
Riverfest, Frenchtown NJ
Arts by the Mill, Milford Alive, Milford NJ
Clothesline Art Sale, Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton NY
Public Installations:
Heart Bench, Barona Bus, Traveling Exhibit
Creative Community Engagement:
Co-host- Barona Bus Potluck and Artists Talk, Milford NJ
Press:
"A Small Town Girl", Milford Alive, August 2014 (View)
“Winter Mendelson Editor-in-Chief: Erika Rachel’s Closing Reception” Posture Magazine, March 2014 (View)
2013
Pop-Ups & Juried Shows:
Art All Day, DeRosa Group, Trenton NJ
Art All Night, ArtWorks, Trenton NJ
Noted Patrons:
Lawrence Benenson, MoMa Board of Trustees, Private Collection
Paul Labrecque, Founder Paul Labrecque Salon & Spas, Private Collection
Cyma Zarghami, President Viacom Kids and Family Group, Private Collection
Past and Present Professional Organizations and Memberships:
The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ
Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton NY
Springs Improvement Society, East Hampton NY
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Hopewell Valley Arts Council, Pennington, NJ
Gallery Affiliation & Representation:
(Open to representation)
References:
Christine Wohl Ramirez, Curator, “A” Space Gallery, New Hope, PA.
C.a. Shofed, Curator, Common Threads, Pennington, NJ