Central St. Martins’ James Burke

Central St. Martins’ James Burke

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Artist’s Contact:
Jamesandcigar@hotmail.com

Artist’s Statement:

Art and product design are equally important for both progression and unity. Few boundaries exist, where one finishes and the other starts.

Valuing both art and technology equally, my work and outlook take on a multi-faceted perspective on things, as opposed to specialization and narrow-mindedness. This divide, initially allows the work to progress in two opposing ways. Contradiction is always an important reference within the work.

Objects referencing painting constructed through the ego exist in parallel with computer-generated frameworks that reference interior design or products. These are built from the same frameworks, but exist for two different reasons.

These designed platforms or frameworks invade and “add” to ordered systems and spaces. This interest in “interior and product design” allow the functional designs to respond to the needs of society, through backdrops, chairs, screens, flooring, platforms or walls, all formulated using the same frameworks that run through the entire work.

The use of color, and lack thereof, are always dominant issues within the practice. The dominance of both blue and orange have become strong narratives within the work. The use of these is for deliberate interventions, which can be drawn from possible chromophobic or repetitive tendencies arising in the ideas and reasons for provoking two different responses.

The objects that reference painting deal with the repressed or hidden natures of behavior. Those aspects of one’s personality cannot be exposed or made conscious within the social dynamic. In Jungian philosophy this is known as the “shadow.” These images will often be inferior or primitive in nature. Dealing with authoritarian forms of power and ideology.

The two elements always exist side by side. One element invades and “adds” to these spaces, while the other exposes the hidden or unseen natures of that same space.

About the Artist:

James Burke is 23 years old and lives in London. He is currently studying for a master’s degree in Fine Art at Central St. Martins College of Arts and Design in London. He has sold work to Bernard Jacobson Gallery, Cork Street, London.

Artist’s Exhibitions:

* January 2007: “11.472;” Group exhibition. Bargehouse Gallery, London
* May 2006: “arTnoW;” Group exhibition. St Michaels Church, Exeter
* August 2005: “Symphony no.1;” Solo exhibition. Red Gate Gallery, London
* May 2004: “SOLD;” Group exhibition. James Hockey Gallery, Farnham

About Central St. Martins:

Central St. Martins provides specialist education and research in the fields of fine art, fashion and textiles, film, video and photography, graphics & communication design, three-dimensional design, theater & performance and interdisciplinary art & design.

The college has opportunities for study from foundation through undergraduate and postgraduate to research degrees; a vibrant research community; and a large short-course program. As well as our permanent academic staff, all of whom are active artists or designers, we employ a large number of associate lecturers who are professional artists, designers or performers.

Our students are from diverse cultural backgrounds, 65 different countries and all age groups, many with a broad experience of life and the professions.