Following a successful advertising photography career I now direct my energy to constructing surreal photographic imaginations. The process involves the manipulation and merging of many photographs to expose an alternative reality.
My aesthetic references cultural and ecological themes or I am simply compelled to explore narratives or scenes suggested by observed textures. This a trick of the eye called pareidolia; the human tendency to seek patterns in random information.
Both approaches result in images that belie the origins of the final conception.
Look through the lens of
HUGH BURDEN photographer
THE EVERYDAY RE-IMAGINED
All images from the portfolio are available to collect as limited edition prints for your home, your office or give as a beautiful unique gift.
The images are superbly printed on museum archival quality paper in limited editions of 50 or 25. They are signed, rolled in tissue paper and sent in a sturdy cardboard tube with a certificate of authenticity. At the moment we only deliver to UK and Europe, other destinations by request. We are so confident in the quality and beauty of our edition prints you have 14 days to return them - no questions asked.
For more information, commissions, collaborations, exhibitions, talks or to request a newsletter simply mail: hugh@hughburdenart.co.uk he will be delighted to hear from you.
To buy for your collection or the perfect gift; major credit cards are accepted via secure Paypal 'Checkout'
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WHISPERING WALLS
Four Collections
"I notice images and landscapes on walls and buildings;
suggestions of stories to be deciphered. It is like
interpreting fluffy clouds as people and things."
Landscape Collection
concrete, stone, block
Wonderful original landscapes present themselves residing on buildings and walls. Like mixed media artworks the landscapes have been created with mosses, lichens, stains, scars and crumblings in rock, brick and stone. After carefully photographing these little masterpieces of nature I add further elements to tease out my own version; a collaboration between man and nature.
click on thumbnails to see the writing on the wall, click red cross or out of image to return
Walls Collection
SCENIC NARRATIVES
THE INSPIRATION: Discovered distressed walls, stained and marked in ways that suggest landscapes and scenes. THE PALLETE: The textures and colours, cracks and crumblings, stains and peelings, moss and grime of the walls. The final scenes engineered by adding and overlaying images to fulfil the narrative.
click on thumbnails for the bigger picture, click red cross or out of image to return
Walls of Pareidolia
the writing is on the wall
Pareidolia is the mind responding to patterns and interpreting them as familiar things. Each wall I photograph is being reclaimed by the organisms growing there, the patterns they form suggesting their own landscape. To the wall photographs multiple images are overlaid, manipulated and blended.
The constructs represent an aesthetic vocabulary referencing humankind's disregard for our planet. My intention is to create landscapes that belie their true origin while testifying to and illustrating the environmental issues we face. The writing is on the wall.
click on thumbnails to see the writing on the wall, click red cross or out of image to return
Lake Collection
The watery worlds of lichen
I was intrigued by some concrete walls contoured with mould and populated with lichen characterising underwater scenes etched into the masonry. I played with the notion by juxtaposing pond water, reeds and fish over the lichen covered stone canvas to re-create the original imagined scenes.
click on thumbnails for a bigger scene, click red cross or out of image to return
ADVENTURE & DISCOVERY
OBSERVATIONS & IMAGINATIONS
Cliffs & Islands
weathering the storm.
The initial idea behind the Island Series was to create and explore narratives with a seafaring theme. As the project progressed it soon became apparent to be a metaphor for the contemporary political situation in the UK. The isolation of the islands, the rain and dampness permeating sets the scene for potential hostilities which may or may not be a foreboding.
click on thumbnails for a bigger adventure picture, click red cross or out of image to return
Universe Collection
Big Bang Theory
I came across this location in Llantwit Major, South Wales, with billions of Jurassic boulders. It was obvious there were photographs to be made here; but how eluded me for a while. I sat for a couple of hours contemplating the millions of grey scattered boulders. The light changed, the tide receded, people came and went but the rocks were silent; I could not see the photograph.
About to concede, my own big bang theory evolved. It occured to me that the rocks, seemingly infinite and randomly dispersed, had an affinity with the Universe. So, with a little intervention and a further trip to photograph the 3000 million year old pink rocks of Perros-Guirec, Brittany these divergent cosmic worlds were made.
click on thumbnails for much bigger, big bang picture, click red cross or out of image to return
Forest Collection
wood wide web
Nicknamed by researchers as the 'wood wide web', trees communicate with each other via fungal networks to combat threats. Using this underground network they share information and resources giving special attention to their offspring. In return the fungus is supplied nutrients.
Uncovering a pile of damp rotting pine planks I stumbled across myriads of intricate fronds of fungus that had weaved their way around the rotting wood. As each fungus laden layer was exposed diminutive forests were revealed. By merging images of pine trees with the fungus I set about photographically exploring their relationship. The resemblances between the trees and their symbiotic partner re-imagined into surreal forest landscapes.
click on thumbnails to grow the forests bigger, click red cross or out of image to return
Rock Pebble Sand
Montalivet, France
The long golden sand beach at Montalivet, France had a section where decayed and compressed black forest matter was released from the Dunes in rivulets. It was here I photographed 'The Wizard', the first photograph in this series, he waved his arms wildly creating spells and unknown havoc. His visage and other magical creations were made by the black grains released from and distributed by streams etching shapes and river deltas across the golden sand.
click on thumbnails to see the big magic, click red cross or out of image to return
Everything's A Story 3
THE BOOK- 66 pages with 76 photographs
The full colour coffee table book features most of the images seen here. It is 38 x 29 cms and beautifully printed on 300 gm lustre photographic paper giving the look and feel of genuine old school 'wet prints'. The covers are hardback and the lay flat binding allows a clear view of each page edge to edge. Everything's A Story 3 is in a limited edition book of 25 and comes with a signed certificate of authenticity. An elegantly simple presentation box is availble made of 2mm thick board covered with black linen fabric, it has a dual magnet closure and a red ribbon open tab. Unfortunately presentation boxes are only available in the UK
2017 Solo show, The Bocabar, Bristol
2018 Art Trail Solo show at Studio, Bristol
2018 Solo Show, Guildhall Chambers, Bristol
2019 Joint Show, Leigh Court, Bristol
2019 Joint Show, Art Trail, St Monicas, Bristol
2019 Open Exhibition, Royal West Academy
2021 Open Exhibition, Royal West Academy
Bath, Bordeaux, Bristol, Cardiff, Gloucester, Hastings, London,
Maidenhead, Paris, Scunthorpe, Sydney.
Print and Delivery Information
"Sourcing the best printing, the best materials to complement these whimsical and surreal worlds has been of paramount importance. I am confident you will be very happy with the beautiful quality of your printed photograph/s and the outstanding museum archival properties."
THE PRINTER & INK
DELIVERY, POST AND PACKING
The prints are supplied rolled in a secure cardboard tube and sent via recorded Royal Mail. Delivery and packing is added at checkout for a £6.00 flat rate. A confirmation e-mail of purchase is sent after check out and another to confirm despatch. Any date of delivery given by Hugh Burden Art shall be an estimate date, will do our utmost to get your purchase to you as quickly as we can. Please note despite all our best intentions Hugh Burden Art shall not be held responsible for late delivery.
RETURNS
For more information, commission enquiries, collaborations, exhibitions, talks or to request a newsletter simply mail: hugh@hughburdenart.co.uk
Explore Hugh's 'People & Portraits' photography website with some experimental short films: People & Portraits
EXCLUSIVE HUGH BURDEN ART T-SHIRTS
available for UK delivery only at the moment
f8TE T-Shirts
Unique, fun, comfortable Tees
".....originally I made the Rock Pebble Sand and Cliff & Islands T-Shirts as one offs for wearing at exhibitions and art fairs. Soon I was wearing them as everyday T-Shirts, I liked the comfortable soft feel, the 'designer' originality. In the event they were much admired with requests to purchase. So by popular demand here they are.
Watch this space as a few more are planned, also Womens versions could easily be added; send an e mail if you are interested, we can work something out."
Why f8TE?: When packing up after a shoot, pre digital and with manual cameras, Hugh always made sure the cameras were set to f8 and 1/125th second. This he claimed had them prepared and ready for an average exposure should speed be needed to grab a shot. After years of doing this, f8 or 'fate' became a mantra - thus fate delivered the brand name for his exclusive T-Shirts.
Major credit cards are accepted via secure Paypal at 'Checkout'. Please note at this time T Shirts are ONLY available for UK and Europe zone delivery.
click on thumbnails for a close look, click red cross or out of image to return
ROCK PEBBLE SAND TEE: The cut is Slim Fit with a high V-neck and sandscape all over image to make a unique style statement. Designed to be naturally figure hugging using super-soft 160 gsm fashion jersey with a generous amount of stretch. The Tee is very comfortable to wear with ease of movement almost like a second skin. Available in five sizes Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large. CLIFFS & ISLANDS TEE: Fashioned using 200gsm moisture wicking Soft Jersey to make a wonderfully comfortable tee for everyday wear with classic round neck. The drape is sleek and the smooth, the soft to touch texture feels amazing on the skin. This full colour long lasting shirt confirms a 'must have' status to this unique Tee Available in five sizes Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large.
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