Ghost behind the Canvas
Edward A. Burke
This portfolio will one day be a ghost of myself---my works defining its purpose, that is, what may speak after me and perhaps secretly influence change from behind the canvas. My hope is that this collection symbolizes a relentless spark which defies the ignorant winds of denial. Defiance means nothing if it is not based upon heartfelt integrity.
Colorless & Odorless” for this collaborative exhibit regarding honey bees focuses on Carbon Dioxides role in the world wide “Colony Collapse Disorder” plaguing bee populations. My research for the work lead me to a research paper published by the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies 2016, “How Rising CO2 Levels May Contribute to Die-Off of Bees” By Lisa Palmer. The research found rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere causes a dramatic reduction of protein in pollen over decades of burning fossil fuels. The lack of protein in this vital food source for honey bees has reduced their reproduction ability, this being a major factor in colony collapse. Bees play an intricate role in providing man with approximately 60% of their food source.
My visual response in this work “Colorless & Odorless” is based on the increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere, the use of fossil fuels in the manufacturing of disposable products and the burning of the discarded plastic waste contributing to the rise in CO2 levels. The symbolic imagery used in my work relates to the impact of manufacturing disposable products found in most people’s homes. The realization for me is that I am part of this problem. work in progress
”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 ice blue of her belly,
until, with cold chortle
she blows our world black….”
“Windswept" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”).
"Windswept" Acrylic/Canvas, 30" x 40"
“Untitled" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
Untitled" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
“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 Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
Poly-Net" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
"Plastic Spring Water" Acrylic / Canvas, 30" x 40"
"Landfill" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
"Untitled" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
"Untitled" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
“In Out In" Acrylic/Canvas, 60" x 48"
"In Out In" represents the importance of creating a balance that ensures what we remove from the earth is carefully replaced. This composition also depicts the precarious balance of forms. The mass of larger forms pressing inward on a smaller center form creates a tension, much the same principle found in an architectural arch using a keystone to hold the arch in place. The content of the painting uses organic and geometric shapes to convey the narratives. The yellow center form seems to be held in place by the pressure and mass of the large forms pressing against it.
Untitled Drawing Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
Untitled Drawing Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
"Byproducts" Acrylic Marker / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
"Product" Graphite Pencil / Paper, 10.5" x 13" (Framed 19.5” x 22”)
"Atlantic Gyre Toys" Acrylic Paint /Cut Canvas on Raw Canvas, 30" x 40"
"Ebb & Flow" Acrylic Marker / Paper, 17" x 23" (Framed 26” x 32”)
"Smoke" Acrylic Marker / Paper, 17" x 23" (Framed 26” x 32”)
"AmEx Card" Acrylic/Canvas, 30" x 40"
Master Card" Acrylic/Canvas, 30" x 40"
"Visa Card" Acrylic/Canvas, 30" x 40"
The paintings above address our insatiable appetites for consuming myriad products at the expense of our environment. The iconic poster “Hope,” as viewed on a mobile phone, “floats” among its surrounding images, depicting the quandary, “to manufacture or not to manufacture.” The plastic Iron Man’s apparent intrusion into the serene blue sky reflects our need for fresh air as it exists against our continual production of plastic. These persistent missions may in the short term translate into economic growth, but how long can scientific facts be ignored and denied before we are forced to face their global, evidently dire consequences.
Is there hope? Perhaps. The dormancy of the three smoke stacks symbolizes a sigh of relief from the greenhouse effect. The energy-efficient bulb contributes to cleaner air as well. Just a few examples, of course.
These are simply random thoughts meant to converge within my painting as symbols of hope. From my perspective, against endless opposition, President Obama found a way to deal with the failing economy and inspire us to move forward alongside multiple nations to address these human and environmental challenges. He will be seen as one of our great presidents.
It is a path which never ends.
Edward Burke Studio