Life & Work with Eric Wright of Downtown Toledo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Wright

Hi Eric, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up int he small town of Mt. Gilead in Ohio. As a teenager I longed to be somewhere other and I have wanted to be an artist since childhood. I was so often told: “be practical and make sure you study something that you can get a job with”. So when it came time to go to college at Ohio University I chose graphic design as a major. At one point I was told that I would be kicked off the course when I took too many painting classes. This ended up being the template for much of my adult life, working some job or another while pursuing art on the side. Gradually I managed to flip the balance and was able to do art while having various side hustles to top up the income. So I started out when I left Ohio for New York City in the 1980’s where I hooked up with a few East Village scenes. I was painting every day and occasionally doing club decor and costume designs. Eventually I moved on to London and experienced more success and I have now shown my work not only in many London galleries but in Museums and art fairs in both the USA and Europe. I have had work in PS1/MoMA in New York, Museum of Modern Art in Paris and galleries in Paris, Brussels and others. I have through all of this maintained connections in Ohio and draw most of my inspiration from Ohio too.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
New York in the 1980’s was challenging! Unlike today, there was always somewhere to find a cheap apartment or room, but you had to be prepared for squalor and danger. I was mugged several times but I really loved living there! There was an automatic feeling of adventure and a vague promise of success that fueled me living there. I probably never had more than $20 in my pocket and if more came in, it went on art supplies first and groceries second. Gradually though many people that I was connected to moved out of NY and the when around 1990 there was no work to be had, I moved on to London. London was mush like NY but it was some years behind. So you could still get cheap rent and studio space when NY was being gentrified. Now of course, London is just as gentrified but I have established a permanent base there.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have moved far from Ohio, but it is the root of my inspiration as an artist. I have done quite a few things in the art world including installations, sculpture and film-making. I am however known as a painter and painting was my first love and what I have returned to. In my current exhibition at River House Arts in Toledo (https://www.riverhousearts.com/) every one of the 74 works is not only inspired by Ohio but they are actively about Ohio. This particular show is called Ohiolands: Land of Dust and Dreams and I have to say it is the one thing that I am most proud of. In this exhibition I have really gone deep into my upbringing and history to try chart what growing up in Ohio has really meant to my. As it involves lots of memories and soul-searching I added the “Land of Dust and Dreams” to the title. Dreams and memories can be fuzzy in details but very strong and direct where the heart comes in. This is the idea behind the show.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a quiet child, not very sociable. My family was dysfunctional and staying out of the way was a coping mechanism. I found it hard to express myself. When I did a drawing that was good I found that I got praise and so I worked hard a being good at art. As I got older I could see that I could use art as a way of self expression so I just kept on going with it.

Pricing:

• My work is reasonably priced with plenty of small works on offer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eric-wright.net
• Instagram: @eric_r_wright
• Other: https://dog-gonnit.art