Derek Erdman

Derek Erdman (born December 6, 1973) is a painter and mail artist based in Chicago, Illinois. Erdman attended Kent State University to study English literature but left before graduating after securing a job at Kinko's. He credits his time at the copy shop with teaching him efficiency and the fundamentals of graphic design. During this period, he published zines, contributed to The Stranger (a Seattle-based publication), and began painting by replicating the clip art of illustrator Tom Tierney.

Erdman has worked as an artist throughout his career, while also holding various jobs, including roles as a receptionist at Sub Pop Records and at a civil rights law firm. He moved to Chicago in 1997, where he began exhibiting and selling his artwork, often from his home during neighborhood art walks. In addition to working at local record stores, he co-owned one for a time before selling his share to focus on art full-time. His final solo exhibition in Chicago during this early period took place in August 2010, prior to his relocation to Seattle. In 2017, he returned to Chicago, where he resumed exhibiting his work. Erdman is also recognized for his work in mail art and operates a mail art initiative called Friend Club, which has grown to include over 2,300 members. In 1998, Erdman directed Girls at the Carnival, a found-footage film.