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