Named after the Apostle Thomas, Tom Burckhardt finds his namesake fitting, as it aligns with his skeptical nature that fuels his creativity. He aims to dismantle categorizations and confront pretensions with humor in his art. In Burckhardt’s realm, language is fluid, large paintings can resemble doodles, and pareidolia encourages us to see faces in abstractions.
During a visit to his East Village studio in February, which he shares with his wife Kathy Butterly, Burckhardt reflected on his upbringing in a New York City artist family. This environment, surrounded by figures like Alex Katz and John Ashbery, shaped his artistic journey. His work nods to these influences but remains light and pragmatic.
Burckhardt is celebrated for his abstract paintings but also explores installations and plein-air paintings in Maine. His recent works display an ethereal light, blending grid logic with art historical imagery and mechanistic animation. He was born in New York City in 1964, graduated from SUNY Purchase, and studied at Skowhegan.
His exhibitions have graced the Bowdoin Museum of Art and Weatherspoon Museum, among others. Burckhardt shared insights into his career, noting how a middle-ground upbringing in the art world enabled him to pursue his interests without the pressure of grandeur. Artists like Red Grooms influenced his accessible style.
Burckhardt’s creative journey included opting for travel over an MFA, immersing himself in Southeast Asia’s visual culture. His early works, such as enamel abstractions and the installation “Full Stop,” reflect a playful yet critical approach to art, constantly evolving to maintain freshness and engagement.
