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Path

 

My art's current path continues to express my concerns about our impact on the environment.  Even though the work rages from symbolic representation to abstract, the intent remains focused on engaging the viewer in a dialogue about pollution of the land, sea, and sky.

"Broken Water" fine art painting by Edward A. Burke Earths Invironment

"Broken Water" (Diptych) 36" x 80" Acrylic / Canvas.

The artwork's inspiration is drawn from two distinct sources. The first is the concept of water or river baptism and its significance in different religions. The second is the ongoing environmental crisis, where we have ignored the importance of this life-sustaining resource. This is why the artwork is titled "Broken Water." It aims to make the viewer ponder upon the dichotomy of science and religion and the role of water as both a spiritual symbol and a necessity for the continuation of life on our planet.

 

Humans bring unique perspectives and emotions to everything we experience, including art. It's fascinating how we can see shapes or patterns in random or ambiguous visual patterns and find meaning in them, and the term "*Pareidolia" perfectly captures this phenomenon. However, the definition of Pareidolia does not fully capture the depth and complexity of what we experience when we look at art. Our emotional and psychological responses to art are unique and personal to each of us. This phenomenon is not limited to our vision or engaging art; we interpret everything through our emotional prism, be it religion, science, society, or politics.

"Storm Warning" Fine art painting by Edward A. Burke

"Storm Warning" Acrylic / Birch Panel, 18" x  24"

SunBlock_36x72_2022.jpg

"Sun Block" 2023 (Diptych) 36" x 80" Acrylic / Canvas.

The painting "Sun Block" is my vision of the "Coral Reef Death," caused by manmade waste floating in the world's oceans, blocking the sunlight from reaching the coral reefs. Without the sun, the coral dies. At this point in our history, fifty percent of the ocean's coral is dead. This living organism is vital to the ocean's and biosphere's balance and health.

 

Sailing the star dome above 

on azure blue sea, I loved,

beckons maidens tears of scorn

for fading coral life, they warn.

            --- EAB

 

I divided the picture plane into two —the top representing the sky and sun and the bottom representing the ocean and coral. The simple geometric shapes represent a manmade object. Beneath is a representation of a brain coral. I like the shape of its curve against the rectangular form above it.

 

A Cornell University study found diseases on coral reefs are impacted by plastic. Plastics carry pathogens and act as a vector for diseases to flourish on coral reefs. Floating or submerged hard debris can also damage corals by blocking sunlight from reaching them, leading to low-oxygen conditions that allow disease-causing bacteria to thrive and damage or kill the corals.

 

The name "Brain Coral" is given to the Muscidae and Merulinidae coral families due to their resemblance to the human brain. These coral species are found in shallow water reefs in most of the world's oceans. These corals are living animals, "Anthozoa" or "flower animals," and are a vital part of reef-building as a habitat for sea life. The life span of Brain Coral can be nine hundred years if not destroyed by humans.

 

I completed this painting for 2023 for a solo exhibition, "Searching for Ballance," at the Martin-Mullen Gallery, SUNY Oneonta, NY. 

Somewhere Beneath the Sea Drawing by Edward A. Burke

"Somewhere Beneath the Sea" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 15" x  21" (Framed 24” x 30”).

”Lady of the Snow" Painting Acrylic on Canvas by Edward Burke

"Lady of the Snow" Painting Acrylic on Canvas, 60" x 48" (Inspired by Terry Lennon's poem of the same title.)

“…We are drawn to her
peering through small white drifts
on a mullioned grid
into the faint ic
e blue of her belly,
until, with cold chortle
she blows our world black….”

Painting by Edward Burke selected for the Katonah Museums Biennale Exhibit 2016.

“Plastic Sea" Acrylic/Canvas, 60" x 48".

The pictorial content and composition of “Plastic Sea”* evolved from a documentary video detailing the serious impact of ocean pollution. The video with Anna Cummins, Executive Director and co-founder of 5 Gyres Institute, describes the massive amount of garbage that is floating around in the world’s oceans. Although they are not obvious massive islands as suggested by some media sources, the problem has become increasingly serious. The materials, mostly plastic, break down into plankton-size particles, many of which are then consumed by sea life. The destructive impact of this pollution is not restricted to sea life alone; we are now consuming our pollutants and the resulting toxins in seafood. The environmental problems we have created, as reported by Cummins (5 Gyres Institute),** continue to have a major impact upon the focus of my recent paintings. Plastic Sea is one of them.

* This work was selected for the Katonah Museums Biennale Exhibit 2016.

** Anna Cummins, Executive Director and co-founder of 5 Gyres Institute (Greater Los Angeles Area, April 2010).

"Plastic Carrier" Graphite drawing by Edward Burke

"Plastic Carrier" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”).

Untitled Drawing by Edward Burke

"Untitled Drawing" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”).

Plastic Spring Water Acrylic painting by Edward A. Burke

"Plastic Spring Water" Acrylic / Canvas, 30" x 40"

"Landfill" Graphite Pencil drawing

"Landfill" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”).

ntitled" Graphite Pencil  Drawing by Edward Burke

"Untitled" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”).

Untitled Drawing Graphite Pencil Drawing by Ed Burke

Untitled Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”).

"Product" Graphite Pencil drawing by Edward Burke

"Product" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”).

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