Anthony Burrill: Look & See: Collected Ephemera and Printed Material

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I would describe my signature visual style as simple, direct and truthful. My work is positive propaganda that promotes an open and inquisitive approach to life and work. I’m happiest when I’m working on a new piece – I love feeling the energy of new ideas. His work is held in the permanent collections of the V&A and The Design Museum in London, The Cooper-Hewitt in New York and has been exhibited in galleries around the world including The Barbican Gallery in London, The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, The Triennale in Milan and The Stedelijk Museum in Breda. Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. I’ve always been a frustrated musician – I wish I could play at least one musical instrument. I feel musical inside so maybe I do have some ability! The new record is a project with Erik Kessels, my long term collaborator and friend. We’ve worked with sound designer Malcolm Goldie to create an audio mix of found recordings of birds and aeroplanes. It sounds unlikely, but it really works.

One of my goals is to spend less time in airports. I intend to journey around Europe by train and explore places closer to home, too. It’s a conscious decision to reduce my carbon footprint and something I urge everybody else to do.One of my fondest reading memories is of my grandfather and I devouring The Guinness Book of Records together each year. We were both fascinated by the oddball achievements and weird challenges people had set themselves. Installations, events and work in three dimensions punctuate Burrill’s practice. As well as his self-authored work and commissioned design, Burrill makes regular appearances at events and talks worldwide. He also runs creative workshops attended by children, students and creative professionals alike. Burrill was born in Littleborough, Lancashire. After studying Graphic Design at Leeds Polytechnic he completed an MA in Graphic Design at the Royal College of Art, London. He now lives and works on the Isle of Oxney, Kent. The song that makes me instantly happy is The Dance by Rhythim Is Rhythim. I love the bold simplicity of the groove and the throbbing bass. I challenge you not to dance to it! My favourite film is A Matter of Life and Death directed by Powell and Pressburger, starring David Niven. It’s a strange and affecting tale that’s visually rich and inventive, with a premise that never seems to date. If you haven’t seen it, watch it!

I look at historic examples of visual communication, such as the Sufragettes, civil rights protestors and student protest in Paris. Its vital energy and need to communicate has been a huge influence on my work. Words, gentle humour, no-nonsense communication and people are at the heart of Burrill’s practice and his distinctive brand of upbeat messaging: its core DNA is one created through a longstanding passion for creativity without limitations, the power of simplicity and an innate curiosity about the world and people in it.Graphic artist, print-maker and designer Anthony Burrill is known for his persuasive, up-beat style of communication. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York and has exhibited in galleries around the world including The Barbican, The Walker Art Centre and The Graphic Design Museum, Breda.