Marty Burns's Page

Website

martyburns.com

College / University

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Program

Fiber and Material Studies

Graduation

19 May 2007

Member type

Artist

If you're an artist, what kind of art do you make?

Drawing, Installation, Photography, Sculpture

I am...

a working artist and I am available for commissions and special projects. I grew up outside of Gallup, New Mexico. I came to Chicago for college and got stuck here. I am seeking full or part time employment in a creative and visually driven position in education or hands on object production.

About my artwork

My aesthetic is based heavily on the festivities surrounding the Day of Dead. The acidic colors of street festivals, the caricature of death, and the crumbling plastic flowers on graves are my inspirations. I grew up outside of Gallup New Mexico. Immersed into a culture that I took as my own; but as a child I did not understand that it did not belong to me. I grew up in the desert but I secretly dreamed of the black forests of Germany; but that place was a mystery to me and it also was not mine.
In my current work I am attempting to coincide my Day of the Dead inspirations with my German heritage. I am seeking out methods to convey the immediacy and fear of death in many cultures. Through the use of elaborate costumes, embellished objects and a tongue in cheek dark humor I am trying to create my own death rituals and mourning customs. I want to confront my audience with a version of death that is far removed from their traditional views.

Artists I like

Maurizio Cattelan
Thomas Friedman
Ivan Albright
more to be added as I think of them...

Interests

Cacti and Succulents, Aquariums, Death Rituals

The centre of the artworld is

nowhere and everywhere

My artreview.com URL:
http://www.artreview.com/profile/MartyBurns
You can use this URL in your email, on your website, or on your facebook profile.