Mark Burns is known for ceramic sculpture frequently composed of hand built, or slip cast figurative forms combined with small vessel forms to create trompe l?oeil narrative sculptures. Surface techniques include decals, paint, luster, mixed media, etc. Through his work, Burns often uses humor and popular culture to examine cultural norms of identity and sexuality. Garth Clark explains Burns work this way. ?Labeling Burn?s work ?Punk Art? is to oversimplify what are in fact intensely personal statements of the artist?s search for identity. Burns employs bizarre, exotic, and sadomasochistic imagery in his immaculately crafted works.?1 To this Burns adds, ?My work has always been the diary of my life?.2
Burns studied under Patti Warashina, Robert Sperry, and Howard Kottler at the University ofWashington in the 1970's.
Other works by Burns
Burns in other collections
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Last updated: April 22, 2026
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