Steve Burke

'I studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design where I graduated in 2005 with an upper class seconds degree in Fine Art.
I returned to Duncan of Jordanstone in 2008 and embarked on the M.F.A. course. I graduated in 2009 with a 2/1.

During my time at art school I was awarded the first year drawing prize, in my final year the Alistair Salveson travel scholarship from the RSA student exhibition and nominated for The Royal Bank of Scotland best fine art graduate.

Portrait painting is seen as a very traditional form of art. While I agree with this I try to achieve a more contemporary look in my portraits by incorporating symbolism and text sitting side by side with traditional styles of painting such as chiaroscuro and trompe l’oeil. By introducing symbolism and text in my work a narrative is produced. This narrative creates a cognitive process and I think this is crucial while viewing any type of art.'

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