2 cols.

Thomas Burleson (American, 1914–1997), untitled, circa 1990s, ink on paper, 7 by 11 inches.

FOR 6/6

THOMAS BURLESON AT LUISE ROSS GALLERY w/1 cut

ak/lsb set 5/30/08 #741000

NEW YORK CITY — “Lone Star II” is the second solo exhibition at Luise Ross Gallery of works on paper by Thomas Burleson (1914–1997), a self-taught artist from Texas who produced a substantial body of brilliantly colored works during a 30-year period. Much of the work was done while the artist was employed as a shipping inspector at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in California, and during his retirement. “Lone Star II” will be on view through July 25.

After making numerous machinelike pencil drawings on small pieces of paper during the late 1960s, Burleson’s work in the 1970s became taut, brilliantly colored and intuitively composed. His paintings are mechanistic, architectural and figural, but defy categorization as the artist blends subjects and perspectives into singular representations.

Underlying the art is the multifaceted insertion of his persona into numerous situations and compositions, where the human form, visionary architecture and mechanistic imagery are integrated. Toward the end of the artist’s life, the work became more whimsical and the compositions freer as Burleson continued to experiment in his approach.

Most intriguing is the fact that over more than 30 years the artist produced no two works alike. However, numerous themes appear throughout the work, including a fortresslike construction, a fondness of dogs and chickens and a central figure entrapped by ambiguously sinister surroundings.

The artist’s work is included in the Neuve Invention section of the Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne, Switzerland. Recent exhibitions include a solo show at the Hanes Art Gallery, Wake Forest University.

The Luise Ross Gallery is at 511 West 25th Street, No. 307. For information, 212-343-2161 or www.luiserossgallery.com.