Erik A. Frandsen (1957) lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. Working in various media, including installation, painting, mirrors, concrete, photography, and mosaic works. Despite the variety of media, his visual language is continuously figuratively expressed.

Originally interested in ceramics and sculpture, Frandsen studied ceramics in Greece from 1976 to 1979. Later, he spent time in Carrara, training as a sculptor before moving to Paris, where he worked with graphics. In the early 1980s, Frandsen moved to Copenhagen, where he co-founded the artist collective "Værkstedet Værst" and began to explore other media, becoming part of the “det vilde maleri” movement in Denmark.

A characteristic of Frandsen’s artistic practice is his recycling of motifs to various mediums. Frandsen is fascinated by the result of the process of appropriation, as it often creates an altogether different expression. By repeating specific themes, the viewer can reflect on different elements of the subject, as the diverse artistic mediums might create a new perspective on details overlooked.

Frandsen is well known for his mosaics, which show what he refers to as “snapshots” and scenes from everyday life. The medium itself connotes an ancient method associated with emperor portraits and religious contexts. For his exhibition at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen in 2007, the mosaics were shown together with busts from the Roman Empire, where portraits of power are placed in context together with boxing gloves, a man in a Spiderman suit, and children playing at the beach.

His work also graces Frederik the VIII’s Palace in Amalienborg, Denmark, where he did two commissioned works for the Danish Royal Family: two site-specific artworks, one being a beautiful wall mural and a mirror hall with large reflective stainless-steel surfaces covered with flowers. Frandsen views the flower as the ultimate symbol, a traditional sign of beauty and life, but also of mortality and death.

Frandsen has exhibited at numerous central museums and galleries worldwide, including the Aaros Museum of Art (Denmark), The Danish National Gallery (Denmark), 1st International Biennial of Buenos Aires (Argentina), and the Louisiana Modern Museum of Art (Denmark). He is also included in important public collections, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art (Norway), Aaros Art Museum (Denmark), The Danish National Gallery (Denmark), Museum Van Hedendaagse Kunst (Belgium), Esbjerg Art Museum (Denmark), Kupferstich Kabinett (Germany), and others. Frandsen was awarded the Carnegie Art Award prize in 2006.

Erik A. Frandsen has been represented by Galleri Brandstrup since 2001.