Erik Madigan Heck: Art, Fashion, and a Car for His Mom

Fine art and fashion photographer Erik Madigan Heck — whose work has appeared alongside Helmut Lang, Valentino Garavani, Christian Lacroix, and Jean Paul Gaultier — partnered with Acura to showcase his photography alongside the 2010 ZDX across seven US cities. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

I entered the private room at the W Hotel South Beach where Acura hosted the launch of their 2010 Acura ZDX four-door sports coupe. As I struggled to capture an image of a photograph on display, a tall figure of a man approached me and said, "I can give you a link to my website for better images." I turned slightly toward him with a half smile and introduced myself. "I am Daedrian, I am here to interview you." We both laughed.

Erik Madigan Heck is a young and upcoming fine art and fashion photographer who has captured beautiful images of arts and fashion, including works of Helmut Lang, Valentino Garavani, Christian Lacroix, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Erik grew up in a home surrounded with art — his mom was a painter, his dad was a collector. "It's all I know," he said. He is also the publisher of Nomenus Quarterly, a hybrid online/print publication featuring the world's most influential artists, institutions, and fashion designers.

The Acura and Erik Madigan Heck partnership features his work alongside the 2010 Acura ZDX throughout seven US cities: Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York.

PGM: How did the partnership come about between you and Acura?

EMH: They asked me. Their car was designed by a 23-year-old. They had this car they were super hyped about — design, young people — so they wanted to partner with young artists they saw as young and upcoming, so they found me.

PGM: Do you think the Acura brand is for the young crowd?

EMH: No, but my work isn't either. When I think of Acura, you have to have money — they are not cheap cars. That's like a $65,000 car. The consumer who is going to buy that car is also the consumer I deal with, so it is a similar clientele.

PGM: Do you own one?

EMH: Well, I am trying to get them to give my mom one. My mom needs a car. They better — this is on record, and you are the fourth media outlet I have told they are giving my mom a car. I might put it in the newspaper. I live in New York, so I don't need one. But I would get an Acura.

PGM: Was your age a factor in obtaining the clientele you have acquired?

EMH: The weird thing in fashion is it's an odd industry in the sense that young people can be really successful, and it's not weird. If I were a CEO at Goldman Sachs, it would be weird. Fashion thrives on youth — that's the essence of fashion. Once you are in, age is not even considered. I know kids who are just kids, doing dope work.

PGM: What was the inspiration behind your work?

EMH: My mom is a painter, my father is a collector, so I grew up with art. I used to paint, so it was in me since I was born. I don't know how to do anything else — one of those classics.

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