If you visit NIAD while our artists are working Jeremy Burleson will likely greet you with a hand-numbing high-five, and when you look up from your throbbing digits, he’ll be gone. What could be considered an awkward moment makes sense the more you get to know him. For Burleson, his obsessions in life and art revolve around his own physicality.
Burleson spends his time at a workspace in the corner of the studio, easily identified by the small mountain of white paper surrounding him which he manipulates into sculpture. With masking tape Burleson crafts highly detailed medical instruments, bandages, and equipment. His favorite items include needles that slide back and forth, stethoscopes, and ventilators. In a 2006 exhibit at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Burleson even recreated a hospital room. In addition to making these instruments, Burleson also enjoys showing others how they function. A health care professional, who recently witnessed one of these performances, was surprised at how accurately Burleson knew the procedure to draw blood. It’s unclear to staff where this obsession stems from, but it’s obvious that his inspiration produces a very interesting art form.
While Burleson tends to focus on medically related subject matter he’s also fascinated by balloons, lamps, peppers, and jelly beans. These typically appear in drawings Burleson produces that often contain a narrative adventure, such as trips to the local Safeway or Costco. Peppers in particular hold a strong fascination. Burleson used to pick them with his grandfather and he’s drawn to and repulsed by their fire-breathing power.
Burleson is only 27 years old and his artwork will continue to evolve and expand for years to come. Recently, his work was on display in New York City at the Outsider Art: Survey 2008 exhibition.
Untitled
Paper Lantern
18" x 5"
$65
Untitled (3)
Mixed Media on Paper
40
" x 26"
$200
Untitled (4)
Acrylic & Ink on Paper
25" x 19"
$150
