Tom Burckhardt on Abstraction, Pareidolia, and Artistic Lineage in New York Interview
In a February interview at his East Village studio, which he shares with ceramist Kathy Butterly, Tom Burckhardt, a New York City native born in 1964, elaborated on his artistic approach. Growing up with artist parents Yvonne Jacquette and Rudy Burckhardt, he was immersed in New York School circles. Burckhardt received his BFA from SUNY Purchase and attended the Skowhegan School, where he drew inspiration from figures like Bill Jensen, Judy Pfaff, and Peter Saul. His artwork has been showcased at the Bowdoin Museum of Art, Columbus College of Art and Design, Weatherspoon Museum, and Center for Maine Contemporary Art. His recent pieces explore grids and materiality, incorporating elements of skepticism and humor while alluding to pareidolia and Rorschach tests.
Key facts
- Tom Burckhardt was interviewed in February at his East Village studio and home.
- He was born in New York City in 1964 to artist parents Yvonne Jacquette and Rudy Burckhardt.
- Burckhardt earned a BFA from SUNY Purchase and studied at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.
- His work has been exhibited at museums including Bowdoin Museum of Art and Weatherspoon Museum.
- Solo exhibitions have been held at Tibor de Nagy Gallery, George Adams Gallery, and High Noon Gallery.
- He references pareidolia and Rorschach tests in his abstract paintings that challenge purity.
- Burckhardt's 2005 installation "Full Stop" is a cardboard replica of an artist's studio.
- He spends summers in Maine creating plein-air paintings and engages with found text in his work.
Entities
Artists
- Tom Burckhardt
- Kathy Butterly
- Claes Oldenburg
- Patty Mucha
- Wes Anderson
- Larry Rivers
- Yvonne Jacquette
- Rudy Burckhardt
- Alex Katz
- Lois Dodd
- John Ashbery
- Red Grooms
- Mimi Gross
- Nancy Davidson
- Bill Jensen
- Judy Pfaff
- Peter Saul
- Mary Heilmann
- Allan McCollum
- Herman Rorschach
- Robert Vischer
Institutions
- State University of New York (SUNY) College at Purchase
- Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture
- Bowdoin Museum of Art
- Columbus College of Art and Design
- Weatherspoon Museum
- Center for Maine Contemporary Art
- Tibor de Nagy Gallery
- George Adams Gallery
- High Noon Gallery
- Hyperallergic
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- East Village
- 14th Street
- Brunswick
- Maine
- Ohio
- Greensboro
- North Carolina
- Rockland
- Thailand
- India
- Southeast Asia