Tori Burke - Artist

 

Renowned for her unique oil paintings and use of textured mixed media, Tory Burke is an Australian artist who gives new meaning to the term ‘flora and fauna’.

From 1992-1995, Tory studied Art and Design at Melbourne School of Art under Robert Gill, where she developed her unique style and explored her far from traditional aesthetic.

When she’s not painting with traditional oils, Tory works with a range of mediums on canvas and linen; and has developed interesting techniques with a palette knife, scratching into the painted surface to create texture, as well as dripping and bleeding glazes.

Having adopted a sense of minimalism and often featuring abstract paintings full of colour, strong line work and sparkling glazes, Tory has recently introduced Australian ceramics as a medium in her artwork, creating a unique 3D collage effect. She concentrates on the pattern, shape and form of the ceramics to add a sculptural element to her design, for example the feathers of a bird or the petals of a flower.

Tory has always been inspired by the environment having previously studied horticulture, specialising in indigenous plants and flora. Her work features flowers, trees, landscapes and an array of exotic birds, breathing life into every canvas.

Taking inspiration from several Australian artists, each has influenced different aspects of Tory’s work. Margret Preston for her still life pieces; Robert Jacks for his abstract style and minimalism; Brett Whiteley for his unusual use of space and perspective; John Olsen and his freedom with simple line work and finally; Albert Namatjira for his strong colour contrasts and of course, his beautiful white ghost gum trees.

Tory is also the Creative Director of Studio Elwood, an Australian art brand that creates accessible and original limited-edition art prints. Studio Elwood’s pieces have featured in Australian Home Beautiful, Inside Out and The Age and Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend.

Her commissions are often featured in private homes andc orporate offices across the country.

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