The Plumbers (Hygienic Gaze)

New paintings, works on paper and performance. The work explores themes of identity and character through the lens of the artists' loosely woven narrative.

Burdis realises work via a diverse spectrum of production that spans painting, sound, sculpture and drawing. Increasingly, his physical work then lays down a platform for building narrative or performance, as seen in his recent series of operettas.

'The Plumbers' is a new series of paintings, in which the artist carves life-size figures from MDF then in his signature style, using household acrylic paint; he brings a spectrum of characters to life. A tribe of plumbers with names and individual characters, waiting to enter centre stage. Concomitantly each one is a self-portrait of a young man in all his contemporary guises. These works are also the first series to incorporate collage within the paint; eyes, pearl earrings and clothing embellishments.