Biography
Michael Burnett grew up with a strong love for being out in nature, furthermore for all sorts of imaginable things, such as Sci-Fi and mythological literature and movies. After painting and drawing from early age he trained as an art restorer and product designer to then study fine arts at Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design in Kiel, Germany. From then on he worked as a self employed creative primarily in the areas concept art, illustration, graphic design, film and creative gardening and permaculture design. During that time some of his works in illustration and film were nominated and received awards.
While living by the Baltic Sea in Germany – partially on a sailing boat, he rediscovered his love for oil painting in 2021 and started to create seascapes of his most inspiring surrounding areas. Then moving forward to figurative painting, combining more futuristic and mythological based elements with natural environments. He continuous to spend time in nature which is a great source of inspiration for his work. Frequently diving into the the inner realms provides him with magic and mystic moments which he then blends into the outer world we consciously experience.
Artist Statement
From nature we flourish. From imagination we come to be.
There is not just one world we pass through in life. There is the one we experience daily, and then there is the other world. We do not find it in the mind, it lies in our heart. It is the place of magic, true meaning and presence. What awaits us there I bring to the wordly to create a more transcendental picture. Showing not just what I have seen there, but inviting the viewer to feel what I have experienced within.
My art especially arises from nature. There I wait, listening carefully to what blends in from the otherwordly, I hear the story that wants to be told. Whatever place we discover, it bares stories long past and stories that come from a far distant future. When we settle in our heart, time becomes now and space becomes here.
Since childhood I have been fascinated by ancient sights and cultures. The further we go back in time, the more mystic and supernatural things become. The same applies to the future, it becomes more unimaginable the further we move away from the present. Wherever we look there is a universe ahead, providing endless ideas and adventures. Every time I travel there I bring something back with me, it may be a tiny spark I integrate in my natural settings. It is the one first star in the early night sky, revealing there are endless more to come.
I mostly paint with oil colours to give my work the depth and layers you find in nature. In my compositions I prefer the magical lighting that twilight reveals,the short path between day and night.
CV
Born 1976 in Paderborn, Germany.
German and British nationality.
Currently lives and works in Münster, Germany.
Education
Fine Arts, Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design in Kiel, Germany.
Selected group exhibitions
2024 "The Almenara Art Prize", Córdoba, Spain (online exhibition)
2024 "MiniARTures" WG Gallery, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
2023 "Open Wall" Kap. 8; Münster, Germany
2021 "Seascapes" Gallery Wasserspiegel; Hamburg, Germany
2009-2010 "Adventure Archive – a journey through worlds of paper of a moving library" An installation of pop-up-books in the old museum, Berlin, Germany | illustration, paper craft
2008 "Kleurboel – Award of the City of Hasselt" childrens books "Luna-Lay"; Hasselt, Belgium | illustration
Awards
2024 Honorable Mention "The Almenara Art Prize" for "The Pink Portal"
2024 Honorable Mention "MiniARTures" for "Levitating Girl by the Sea"
2012 "International Emmy Award - Arts Programming"; "Songs Of War" documentary film by a&o büro | grafic design, animation and concept design
2008 "Kleurboel – Award of the City of Hasselt" childrens books nomination for "Luna-Lay"
Professional work
I have worked for more than 20 years as a self employed creative, primarily in the areas; concept art, illustration, graphic design and film in Germany and abroad. Under my former Name: Michael Bamber.
2014 "Mausemüde" childrens book; Bohem Press: Münster, Germany | illustration
2009 "BLOWBOY – The Epic of Panta Rhei" short movie | Koki Short Filmfestival; Kiel, Germany and Sapporo Short Filmfestival, Japan | director and production
Commissions are welcome if they suit my style, themes and interest.
Please contact me if you are interested or if you have any questions.
Thanks.
