Rosemary Burn
Degree: MA Fine Art
University: Chelsea School of Art
Graduation Year: 1984
Artist Statement
Rosemary Burn is a British figurative painter.
She chooses subjects which have entered her everyday world; mainly people and seemingly commonplace objects, turning them into extraordinary images. She sees portrait painting as an opportunity to offer a glimpse into the lives of others, exploring themes such as identity, culture, power, and ultimately the creation of today’s world by its central aspect, human beings.
An enigmatic stillness accompanies the paintings, and the use of fluid brushstrokes and lighting enhance the sculptural, three dimensional aspect of her subjects. She has a longstanding interest in the paranormal and the possibility of other realms; other subjects which are also evident within the paintings are transitory states of existence (melting, freezing, evaporation), and time, described by the very act of painting which encapsulates a point in time through a history of brush marks.
Rosemary studied at Chelsea School of Art, London, gaining an MA in fine art. She is also an accomplished classical pianist.
Although only recently becoming a painter, she has been included in prestigious exhibitions such as the Royal Institute of Oil Painters exhibition, 2018, 2019, Florence Biennale 2019, and in 2020 she was one of a few artists featured in House and Garden UK magazine.
Solo Exhibitions
1991, Solo exhibition, City Racing, London
Group Exhibitions
2020, Gallery representation, Paks Gallery, Austria
2020, Artexpo 2020, New York, USA
2020, Gallery representation, Singulart, Online gallery
2020, preselected for BP portrait award, National Portrait Gallery, London
2019, Royal Institute of Oil Painters exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2019, Brave contemporary art, Brave Fine Art, Featuring in opening collection
2019, Florence Biennale, Fortezza da Basso, Florence
2019, Art Screen TV Digital Exhibition, Gallerie du Marche Prestige, Montreux, Switzerland
2019, We Contemporary art catalogue 5th edition, Musa Art, Italy
2018, Royal Society of Oil Painters exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
1990, Group exhibition, The Showroom, London
1990, Group exhibition, Art Now, London
1990, 27 Artists till the roof falls in, Art East, London
1990, International Garden Festival, International Garden Festival, Liverpool
1990, Christie's Inaugural, Christie's, London
Competitions, Prizes & Awards
2019, Royal Institute of Oil Painters exhibition
2018, Royal Institute of Oil Painters exhibition
2020, Artwork featured in House and Garden magazine