Dustin Burns

BFA Painting

Website: dustinrburns.com

ARTIST STATEMENT: I’m fascinated by social anthropology and the processes that lead to the development of shared culture. By examining the subcultures that develop among people who share the same space, the curious ways that individuality manifests and thrives within a larger parent group is often illuminated. My paintings depict mundane scenes that create meaning through common, shared experiences. I consider the traditional medium of oil on canvas to be especially effective for exploring these subjects because it is durable, and it has been used for centuries to express and record cultural values. This connection to historical reference makes it an ideal material to examine the subtleties of contemporary traditions in a broader context. Rather than exacting reproduction, scenes are often painted rapidly, with superfluous details omitted to produce a convincing, documentary quality that allows for greater immersion in the narrative.