ABOUT THE ARTIST

American photographer and artist, Burton Machen, was born in Ashville,

Alabama in 1970. Burton has lived in New York, Washington DC, New
Orleans, Atlanta, Rio de Janeiro and now splits his time between Los
Angeles and New York.

Burton has been photographing street art and urban decay for more than
a decade. He believes that street art is a powerful form of expression
that has the ability to influence our thoughts and attitudes, often
without our knowledge. ‘Urban Evolution’ is the first series of
photography focusing on street art that reflects this philosophy.
Burton is drawn in by the collage-like effect that occurs when artists
and elements work together in urban settings. Most of the ‘Urban
Evolution’ series originated in New York, which remains Burton’s
sentimental first love.

From this series Burton developed ‘Portraits Project’.  With the
‘Portraits Project’ Burton invites the world in by posting portraits
in cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans,
London, etc., and observes the reactions that they incite. He
documents the evolution, which includes other street artists, taggers,
time, weather, passersby, etc., until he has a FINAL image. Burton
observes that it is a reflection on the passage of time and speaks to
“…the effect we have on the world.”

Burton was recently included in 'The Whitney Art Party' and 'The
Warholian'. Whitney board members, Beth Rudin DeWoody and Jack Cohen
commissioned their own portraits. Eric Shiner, Milton Fine curator at
The Andy Warhol Museum, included Burton's 'Andy Warhol' in 'The
Warholian', at the Royal/T in Los Angeles, amongst other artists such
as Damien Hirst, Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, Shepard Fairey,  Kenny
Scharf, and of course Mr. Warhol himself.

Burton Machen

         1970 Born Ashville, Alabama

         Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA and Brooklyn, NY

Photography

Digital photography 


Exhibitions 

2010

          Royal/T, “The Warholian” Curated by Eric Shinner The Milton   Fine Curator for The Warhol Museum

2010

        Tomas Maier, Miami , Fl, ‘Portraits Project’

2010

       Steven Kasher Gallery, Group show, July 14, Curated by Beth        Rudin DeWoody

2010

        The Whitney Art Party, June 9, New York

 2010

         “Think Pink” Gavlak Gallery, West Palm Beach, FL, curated by

          Beth Rudin DeWoody

2010

          ‘The New Old’, Invisible-Exports, New York, NY

 2009

         ‘Urban Evolution’ Artioli Findlay, in association with David                   Findlay Gallery, New       

             York, NY, Curator: Alan Siegel

2009

         Third Biennial Photography Auction, Norton Museum of Art,                West Palm Beach, FL

         Curator of Photography: William and Sarah Ross Soter

 2009

          ‘Unframed’ ACRIA Benefit Auction, 15 Union Square, New                    York, NY Curator: Jane Holzer and Stephen Heighton

 2009

          ‘Surf, Sea and Sun’ Clic Galery, New York, NY

2009

           White Box 10th Anniversary Benefit Auction, 329 Broome                  Street, New York NY

 2009

          LAXART, 2640 S. La Cienega, Los Angeles, CA 

 2008  

          ‘Xrds’ Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA

2007


          “Voyages and Meditations” Soho Myriad, Atlanta, GA

 Press

Angeleno Interiors, Premiere Issue

Blanket Magazine

Good Magazine

June/2009 Elle Décor

December/2009 New York Magazine

Events

Wired Living Home, by Architect Ray Kappe. Images from Machen’s “Urban Evolution” series were chosen to be featured throughout the home.

‘The Great House’ sponsored by Veranda Magazine. ‘The Great House’ opened to the public for viewing. Joe Lucas, owner of Harbinger LA and one of the designers chosen by Veranda Magazine to design a room for ‘The Great House’ chose Burton Machen’s ‘Urban Evolution New Orleans’ series for his room.

B&B Italia and Diva Group celebrates artist, Burton Machen, with a cocktail party.  8801 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90048

Collections

Ritz Carlton Collection

Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection

Alan Siegel Collection

Fred and Nancy Poses

Jack Cohen

Commissions

Burton Machen has been commissioned by various private collectors to do portraits as part of his series ‘Portraits Project’