American artist Scott Burton (1939–1989) made what he described as “sculpture in love with furniture.” Highlighting the breadth of Burton’s innovative practice as a sculptor, performance artist, and public artist, this will be the most comprehensive exhibition in the United States since his untimely death of AIDS-related complications in 1989. The presentation will include over forty artworks that focus on the artist’s use of furniture and performance to express identity and explore social dynamics, such as intimacy, distance, collectivity, and isolation. In addition to the artist’s sculptures, photographs, drawings, and documentation of performances, it will also shed light on Burton’s important contributions to conceptual art, public art, and queer art, as well as his roles as a curator and art critic.
![Nude man sitting on angled couch with arms behind his head](https://pulitzerarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-Scott-Burton.jpg)
- Resources:
- Press Release
- Media Alert
Scott Burton: Shape Shift is organized by Jess Wilcox, independent curator, with Heather Alexis Smith, Assistant Curator, Pulitzer Arts Foundation.
Scott Burton
Section III. Sexual Presentations [alternating aggressive and passive], 1980
Gelatin silver print
7/8 x 1 7/16 inches (2.2 x 3.6 cm)
Scott Burton Papers, II.87. The Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York
© 2024 Estate of Scott Burton/ Artist Rights Society (ARS)
Digital Image © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY
Scott Burton
Section III. Sexual Presentations [alternating aggressive and passive], 1980
Gelatin silver print
7/8 x 1 7/16 inches (2.2 x 3.6 cm)
Scott Burton Papers, II.87. The Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York
© 2024 Estate of Scott Burton/ Artist Rights Society (ARS)
Digital Image © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY