1926-2015
“I don’t purposely put symbolism in,” Burke says, acknowledging that his work may spark emotional response. “But, since it’s all coming from my mind, I guess I do put my experiences into it. It’s not an intellectual process but a creative one. If you ideate beforehand, it tends to block the flow. I don’t want to limit what I do.”
The last is obvious. Burke’s work shines with innovative and unexpected couplings-violets and reds shading yellows; grays and browns coming to life by surrounding bits of gold or blue; fine lines restraining pulsing hues. This is a man of many colors, sometimes wild, sometimes calm. “I’m very interested in color,” he agrees, “much more so than form.”
In form, texture and technique, Burke seems to delight in testing the untried. Yet the results are true. He happily mixes media and varies routines. “I’m very loose and relaxed when I work,” he says. “I may have the paper on the table and manipulate the [monotype] plate over it or leave the plate still and move the paper, depending on how I feel.
From Gulfshore Life, 2/94