About

Born on post in North Carolina, Eric Thayer has spent his itinerant life traveling around the Northeast, Midwest and Deep South, soaking in their cultural nuance. His work explores how unseen systems frame everyday behaviors. He positions his body-his primary tool and inspiration-in relation to these structures, often absorbing the audience into the process of creation.

Eric has received awards from Site Gallery Houston, the University of Houston, and most recently, Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park Conservancy.  His recent exhibitions include The Body: An International Exhibition and Documentary at the Czong Institute for Contemporary Art in Gimpo, South Korea; and the 2019 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.  Mr. Thayer has studied at the prestigious Penland School of Craft, and has earned degrees from the University of Toledo (BFA, BA) in 2008, and the University of Houston (MFA) in 2017.  While studying at the latter, he was twice awarded the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Scholarship for Interdisciplinary Study, and taught sculpture and performance art to undergraduates in addition to his coursework and exhibition record. 

When not researching or producing work, Eric finds any excuse to be outdoors-be it hiking, biking, kayaking or soaking up the sun at the beach.  He currently lives and works in Houston, Texas, where he continues to respond to the systems and behaviors he observes.

Additional Information

Willing to be contacted for: exhibitions, panels, workshops, markets, jobs, funding