Full Name: Erica Gosich Rose
Age: twentiesomething
Currently Residing: Toronto
Currently listening to: my pitbull sleeping
upon first meeting erica, aka egr, she was visiting a friend in new york and also meeting with some people about her work. she seemed so delicate and quiet, little did i realize she has this huge voice in her art. i would not have expected this sweet gal to create the powerful female images hanging on the walls of the art show we attended.I like that EGR isn't afraid to stand out as a female within a male dominated art form. she is by far a worldly artist who encapsulates urban art in it's rawest design. You can find her Pieces on the worn walls of a city or you can view it with a glass of wine at a pristine gallery.
EGR has a universal appeal and her work has much thought to it. Her art defines a story well written and it surpasses the labels and restrictions it tends to draw. I think EGR will always have something to say and whether it be by can or by brush she will do it beautifully.
How did your love affair with art come about?
About the time I was about 3 years old, I was watching sesame street about 4 times a day. I had hip surgery and so I was confined to a chair, in and out of hospitals. It became my love to draw.
Do you consider yourself a graffiti artist?
I wouldn't say that. I'm an artist, a painter..
You do very female friendly pieces...what do you think you're most known for?
To some I'm referred to as a graff artist, or I'm known for my characters and sexy depictions of women. Being female in a male dominated sport makes you stick out, but my main goal is to inspire people to think outside the box.
When I think of Canada I don't think of urban art...how has your living in Canada influenced your artwork?Living in Canada is pretty stable compared to other countries. Toronto is a great big city and the music scene thrives here and also in other big cities like Montreal and Vancouver, though New york and Detroit are pretty much the same distance away from Toronto. Arts, culture, and hip hop do exist as hefty underground movements in Canada and its easy to gain inspiration.
What are you most inspired by and who currently turns you on?
Now that's a personal question ;) blush..
You've shown all over the world...what's the perception like in other places besides the U.S.?
In Italy, specifically Firenze (Florence) there is so much renaissance art it is almost unnerving to see contemporary work in the mix. When I was painting live with aerosol, people were astonished. In some places the only graffiti some
people may be accustomed to seems so hardcore and brutal, and is a statement more about existing and surviving through struggles of poverty and brutality. There are so many negative connotations to break down. I've seen traveling as an opportunity to break language barriers through art and to entertain people and make them smile.What do you feel is challenging about being a female in the urban art genre?
Urban art is very male dominated and female's roles tend to lean towards being the subject or model rather than the artist.
What do you like painting on most and why?
I do like painting women and cars, cityscapes and fantastic environments; other worlds. Painting can be like an escape for me so I love to get really buried deep inside it and take it really far out.
Where would you most like to see your art?All over the world.. Cars, bikes, walls, museums, cities, trees, clouds, planets, stars..
If you could be in artist's painting who would you choose and why?
If I could appear in someone's painting, like so many women, I would want to be in a Gustaz Klimt. His women are so soft and sensual, yet they remain powerful. Klimt paints women beautifully. If I could choose a contemporary, I might choose Banksy or Sheppard Fairey, because it would be fun to see what they would come up with.
what's egr's art like live? Take a look here at an interview with egr by pass da mic television
please see more information on egr and her beautiful art...visit her website or leave her some kudos on her myspace.
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