CHRISTOPHER BURK

About Christopher Burk

Christopher Burk pursuit for something new, unique forms and compositions, found in our everyday exterior environments are the subjects that are consistently sought after as the major contributors to my work. The main focus showcases the mundane within the landscape, for example, transformers, utility poles, tops of structures, and wires, and how each interacts with one another in the composition. Taking something so utilitarian for example, like that of a telephone pole with all of it’s components, on average would be, and usually are, looked upon as something that is less than visually desirable, yet when presented in a unique way this provides one with the tools needed to visually tune into not only in their everyday environments but also that of the world — therefore, giving viewers the capabilities to find beauty in the simplest of things.

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The following quote by Henry Miller speaks volumes when it comes to embodying the personal philosophy as to what drives me to be an image maker; “What the painter sees he is duty-bound to share. Usually he makes us see and feel what ordinarily we ignore or are immune to. His manner of approaching the world tells us, in effect, that nothing is hideous, nothing is stale, flat and unpalatable unless it be our own power of vision.”

Awards and Honors

2019 – Individual Excellence Award, Ohio Arts Council
2018 – Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant
2018 – Finalist, 9th Annual Manifest Prize, Manifest Gallery
2018 – Merit Grant, Vermont Studio Center
2018 – Best of Show Second Place, Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition
2018 – Individual Excellence Award, Ohio Arts Council
2018 – Artist in the Community Grant, Greater Columbus Arts Council
2017 – Individual Excellence Award, Ohio Arts Council
2017 – Artist in the Community Grant, Greater Columbus Arts Council
2017 – Professional Development Grant, Greater Columbus Arts Council
2017 – Best of Show Third Place, Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition
2016 – Merit Grant, Vermont Studio Center
2016 – Artist in the Community Grant, Greater Columbus Arts Council
2016 – Professional Development Grant, Greater Columbus Arts Council
2015 – Individual Excellence Award, Ohio Arts Council
2015 – Best Local Artist, ColumbusUnderground.com
2015 – Artist in the Community Grant, Greater Columbus Arts Council
2014 – Best Local Artist, ColumbusUnderground.com
2014 – Finalist, Individual Artist Fellowship, Greater Columbus Arts Council
2014 – Artist in the Community Grant, Greater Columbus Arts Council
2013 – Tertiary Award, Ohio Arts League Spring Juried Exhibition
2000 – Travel Grant, Myers School of Art, University of Akron
2000 – First Place, Artists of Rubber City Exhibition