EAST ERIC – UNFINISHED MELODY

Curated by Jasper van Es

9, 10 and 11 December East Eric exhibited his embroidery art for the first time for a large audience during his solo exhibition Unchained Melody at HouseWest_ and Kelderman en van Noort in Eindhoven (NL).

Deze afbeelding heeft een leeg alt-attribuut; de bestandsnaam is Schermafbeelding-2022-11-29-om-21.46.50-1024x1024.jpg

About 15 years ago, when I was still active as a graffiti writer, I became aware of the expressive, aggressive but also innovative and impressive interventions East Eric did on the streets with fire extinguishers filled with paint and other self made painting tools. Like many others I lost sight of him and his work. So when I met Eric at the end of June 2022 in Ljubljana (SLO) I was amazed by the work Eric still made everyday but mostly kept for himself. Not only was he still doing interventions but I was even more amazed by the delicate embroidery work he made on clothing and other second hand fabrics. It was like a treasure chest that opened up but didn’t have a bottom. We did some spontaneous trips and actions and a friendship arose. He is one of the most inspirational and interesting people I have ever met. His ways of thinking are motivational and his ideas are contagious. Besides that he is also very passionate about life. Sometimes so passionate we often collide when we hang out. Because Eric is present, he is never boring, he is very much alive, he is like a full battery that needs to release its energy. Every hour of every day. And you feel it in his art. Eric can not stop creating. For him it must feel like breathing. Without it I wonder where he would be.
While creating these embroideries, between 2020 and 2022, Eric told me he was going through a rough time as he worked hard to combat some strong behavior he had developed over the years. Making these embroideries gave him a new focus and after two years he regained control over his own body and mind. For me this work embodies his passion and his dedication.
Just like 15 years ago when I first saw his work he still inspires me. East Eric is back. 

Jasper van Es
November 2022

East Eric
@_.easteric._

Kelderman & van Noort Galileïstraat 2 Eindhoven
www.kevn.nu
@kevnexpo

HouseWest_Marconilaan 28 Eindhoven
@housewest_

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