About

Curatorial Statement

Brad Burns’ work occupies a distinctive position at the intersection of fine art and the built environment. Drawing from more than twenty-five years of professional practice, Burns engages the visual language of construction as both subject and structure—exploring themes of scale, order, and material authority.

Educated at the University of California under the guidance of Jasper Johns and Mary Holmes, Burns developed a disciplined approach to composition and surface that remains evident throughout his work. His paintings reflect a careful balance between abstraction and representation, echoing the precision, repetition, and permanence inherent in construction processes.

Widely regarded as the premier artist associated with the construction industry, Burns has completed over one hundred installations across corporate, institutional, and private contexts. His work does not merely depict the industry; it articulates its cultural and aesthetic significance, translating technical rigor into a refined visual form.

Through sustained inquiry and craftsmanship, Brad Burns’ practice examines how the built environment shapes identity, labor, and legacy—positioning his work as both a document of industry and a contribution to contemporary artistic discourse.