Robert Burnier b. 1969

The development of the fold is theoretically critical to Robert Burnier’s (Chicago) acrylic-on-aluminum wall sculptures, with each piece reflecting his deep engagement with process and transformation. He begins by designing on the computer and then meticulously folds sheet material according to the model, allowing the marks of previous folds to remain visible, emphasizing the process of becoming. 

Robert Burnier (American, b. 1969) lives and works in Chicago, IL. He received his MFA from the School of the Art Institute in 2016 and his BS in Computer Science from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 1991. Residencies include Ragdale Foundation (Lake Forest, IL). Recent and upcoming solo exhibitions include Corvi-Mora (London, UK), ANDREW RAFACZ (Chicago, IL), blank projects (Cape Town, SA), Massey Klein Gallery (New York, NY), David B. Smith Gallery (Denver, CO), and The Arts Club of Chicago (Chicago, IL). Group exhibitions include ANDREW RAFACZ (Chicago, IL), New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art at the University of Southern Indiana (Evansville, IN), Corvi-Mora (London, UK), Vacation (New York, NY), Korn Gallery at Drew University (Madison, NJ), Mana Contemporary (Chicago, IL), The Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL), and Elmhurst Art Museum (Elmhurst, IL). Burnier’s large-scale installation Black Tiberinus was on view on Chicago’s riverfront 2018-2019. He has exhibited at art fairs in Chicago, Copenhagen, London, Mexico City, Milan, Miami, New York, and Toronto. His work has been written about in many publications, including Chicago Tribune, Art Forum, Hyperallergic, Huffington Post, and Artnet. Burnier holds the position of Assistant Professor in Painting and Drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL). His work is included in numerous public and private collections.