CHRIS BURNETT ‘COLIBRI’ OPENING RECEPTION is 5–10 PM, Saturday, October 15, 2022 Show open October 15–December 4
DJ SETSbyCarlyBarton,sqip,SkrrtSchwttrs COMPLIMENTARY DRINKSfromTheMarigny,Ex-Novo, and Mate Party SNACKS for purchase by Manapua Man
ABOUT ‘COLIBRI’
Unbound creativity and raw vulnerability come to life in ‘Colibri’, the first solo art show from Los Angeles-based artist Chris Burnett.
With a series of mixed-media collages emphasizing the intertwined-yet-mysterious connection between the natural world and the human imagination, ‘Colibri’ means ‘Hummingbird’ in various Romance languages. This elusive, quiet, often iridescent bird symbolizes the many traits that Burnett embodies in both his life and creative practice as a multi-disciplinary artist.
Through select imagery, vibrant color, meticulously crafted abstraction, and Burnett’s signature collage style, ‘Colibri’ represents an all-too-rare lightness and whimsical presence that exists when creativity is flowing and flapping its wings freely. Along with a surreal essence representing the way hummingbirds would show up for Burnett almost exclusively during epiphanies and random coincidences, there is also a #036 CHRIS BURNETT ‘COLIBRI’ playfulness that shines through – as if the more he noticed them, the more they noticed him too.
This body of work sets a new tone, echoing Burnett’s connection, not only to this bird, but to life all around him. It’s an homage to how being fully present unlocks a beautiful, textured perspective of our shared external nature, which in turn helps reveal a seemingly-infinite depth of our own internal human nature. Burnett has intentionally chosen to collage primarily with images of somewhat recognizable subjects, rather than his previously signature approach of using arcanely obscured textures and elements. Often switching between creative mediums at a moment’s notice – from design to music to collage – Burnett’s curiosity is never ending, and he barely stops moving. Just like a hummingbird. And while he’ll certainly continue to encounter more flowers, collage will always be his favorite type of nectar.
ABOUT CHRIS BURNETT
Chris Burnett (b. 1991) is a multi-disciplinary artist, designer, and musician from Los Angeles, California. With an unmistakably expressive and endlessly experimental style, Burnett has quietly been leaving his mark on the creative industry for quite some time now. Most recently, Burnett worked with pgLang to create key art and designs for Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” and its associated “The Big Steppers Tour”.
Beyond this, Burnett’s independent practice has become a bastion for colorful, considered, intricate design collaborations and commissions. From a massive mural installation at Sweden’s Rosendal Garden Party music festival, to wine labels for The Prisoner Wine Co’s latest initiative ‘Corrections’, to commissions for Jordan Brand and Russell Westbrook, to designing signature sneakers for YG, to mixed media editorial illustrations for publications like the New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, NBC News, and Harvard Business Review, Burnett’s versatility has allowed him to successfully execute, no matter the project
Prior to these career highlights, Burnett studied graphic design at the California Institute of the Arts (BFA13). After an design stint with Tyler The Creator’s Odd Future right after graduation, he went on to become an in-house designer at the Nike WHQ in Oregon, and after a few years, was a creative director at LA-based creative agency Ceremony of Roses, where he worked closely with Janelle Monáe and other artists in the music industry.
He continues to work independently for various clients, and maintains a non-stop personal practice, creating anything and everything from music, woven blankets, skateboards, collages, and even clothes. A true multi-hyphenate, Burnett aims to always imbue his work with vibrance and youthful energy, while maintaining a forward thinking and experimental approach.
