Artist Statement

Erin H. Meyer was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and received her Bachelor of Fine Art in Drawing at the University of Alaska Anchorage before coming to graduate school at the University of Washington to pursue her studies in sculpture. Meyer creates large scale, soft sculptures that investigate the relationship between herself and her ADHD, and they often toe the line between fantasy and reality. These larger-than-life stand-ins narrate various situations, experiences, or feelings caused by ADHD, and, through them, Meyer says she can more clearly delineate “which of these aspects are me and which of them are ADHD.”

With the formal properties of her work being inspired by artists such as Ernesto Neto and Nick Cage, Meyer uses a variety of materials to create her lively creatures. She says: “I’ve used everything from bent PVC pipe, pillowcases from Goodwill, pointe shoes used by ballerinas, and even discarded costumes from the Drama Department. Everything is fair game.” Once the creatures are created, Meyer makes a point to provide further context for her works by altering the space around them in exhibition. By using colored lights and/or wall decals, she takes her viewers out of the gallery space and into another reality: “I want people to be transported — whether it’s to a fond memory or an unexpected laugh — I want to take you somewhere you’ve never been before.”

Artist website