Max Burge

Start Over

Hello, I am Max Burge. Welcome to the show. Did you enjoy the complementary cheese?

My thesis is a series of paintings that suggests the stream of consciousness of a little character. I like to get ahold of a big space in order to “go crazy” and/or “go stupid.” Because of this spur-of-the-moment, impatient, “go crazy” technique, this visual stream of consciousness can also be representative of my own thought process. I made the decision to change most of my thesis about a month ago, and some of the old work is still visible. I also kept the original names of my paintings—but with “Start Over” in front of them. I have chosen to work with paint because there is a vast quantity of ways to apply it (I also really enjoy it). Another reason why I like to work with large canvases is because I like to make a mess. Take a look at my work. No, seriously, stop reading. Let the work speak for itself. That’s why you’re here!

A photo of the artist.

Sketches and cartoons fill a space, the bullet-shaped gnome most prominently represented. A depressed, anthropomorphic catfish drinks whiskey and smokes a cigarette in the presence of a gnome that is about to shoot him. Characters reminiscent of old video games overlay masterpieces and pop culture icons. Princesses and coins populate purple background. A smiling boy outlined in red. signature - max burge