Art, Artists

Luminous Logic – The Art of J.T. Burke

The works of J.T. Burke present a personal vision of paradise in Escher-inspired mazes where Rococo dreams cascade over fine-toothed paper and shiny, precious objects swirl endlessly into one another.  Burke’s “blingy” compositions never stray far from the ornaments that inspire them, as he manipulates found objects to create a range of thoughts and emotions. Ultimately, Burke declares Paradise a “myth,” ironically using costume jewelry to depict Man’s notions of Heaven; one object of Man-made beauty reinvented as the building blocks for another.

His current exhibition, “Beautiful Again – Perpetuating the Myth of Paradise” has traveled to Barcelona, Spain and Santa Barbara, California, and on August 27 opened in Bristol, England. The exhibition showcases 26 of his digital compositions, dizzying introductions to alternate worlds that are all constructed with abandoned adornments from a bygone era.

Raised in Los Angeles, Burke graduated from UCLA with a degree in design. For over 20 years he worked as an advertising photographer, eventually building a successful stock photography company. During that time he honed his imaging skills but placed his artistic expression aside to focus on commercial work. In 2006 Burke sold his company to pursue a full-time career in art. He now employs his considerable photo and design talents to create works with a distinctive style.

His production process begins by scouring flea markets across Southern California for interesting or unusual bits of old costume jewelry. Pieces with blemishes, chips or the natural patina of wear and old age are the preferred subjects. Back at his studio he photographs each piece from a variety of angles, catalogs them and then digitally layers, blends and distorts those elements together to create his compositions. Equal parts baroque excess and Dr. Suessian farce, Burke’s work evokes fantastical worlds full of gold and gemstones and oddly heroic mythical figures.

“I try to work with a painter’s discipline to create interesting and thoughtful images,” says Burke. “Though I usually have a concept in mind when I begin a new piece I don’t work from a layout, but instead prefer to draw on my intuition. My work style is an ongoing process of discovery”

In “Big Opening Number,” Burke compiles a kitschy collection of items such as jeweled flamingos and a laughing rabbit to create a striking tapestry of glitz. The piece seems to welcome the viewer into a world that is full humor and warmth, but at the same time is also oddly creepy. “Beautiful Ball of Life” presents a shining, cosmic orb bubbling with bits of exuberant life, while “Evil Boy and His Minions” glimpses the tongue-in-cheek journey of a cherubic demon and his ominous followers. Themes of humor, hope, journey and fantasy run through his work.

Burke’s South Pasadena studio is large and well-appointed. The former headquarters of the Trader Joe’s grocery store chain, the space provides an appropriately grandiose showcase for his lavish works. Burke takes special care in sizing and presenting each piece, using opulent, swirling frames to accentuate his series of tightly-editioned archival prints.

Whether one defines paradise as true heaven or a facade of hope is the underlying question Burke poses in this series. Like the works of Hieronymus Bosch, Burke’s visions of paradise can sometimes confound a clear narrative. But the dazzle and whimsy he infuses into his images makes the experience of viewing them the satisfying goal, and leaves the task of unraveling the mysteries of paradise to the viewer.

More information about J.T. Burke can be found at JTBurke.com.

J.T. Burke’s exhibition Schedule:

• The Brooks Institute Gallery August 5 - 29, 27 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara, California
• The Grant Bradley Gallery August 27 - October 2, Bristol, England, reception, August 27, 7p.m.

The Hotel Estela Barcelona July 2 - September 28, Barcelona, Spain

Story by Alexandria Sivak