The creative mind is powerful even when confronted with challenging times, and it can change things that aren't working, says Anthony Burrill, a graphic artist who combines tradition with bold new approaches and technologies. He believes in connecting with others and taking inspiration from every life experience.
Everyone suffers from creative block, Anthony admits, but he has developed a strategy to move forward. He takes a few days off and resets his creative mindset. He also gets energy from his work and from seeing people connect to his art.
At UNFINISHED, Anthony will share more of his experience in a talk, he will also hold a typography workshop and surprise everyone with a... DJ set. The multidisciplinary festival UNFINISHED is happening between September 22nd and 24th and only 3141 people selected from those who apply through the application form will participate.
Defining Moments
My experience as a student thirty years ago shaped my development as a creative. I was lucky to spend seven years at art college, first on a degree course and then a master's degree at the Royal College of Art in London. It was there that I met my contemporaries who were to shape my career and inform my development. I learned from my fellow students the importance of self-belief, developing a singular vision, and never giving up.
UNFINISHED. Thoughts and Expectations
I try to arrive with an open mind in an unfamiliar place and let the spirit of the people I meet guide me. Openness, friendliness, and warmth to other people opens doors to new experiences. From the moment I leave my home to when I return a few days later, I seek experiences and connections that will enrich my life. It’s a huge privilege to be able to experience life in other places in the world and meet people that can pass on valuable knowledge.
The “Silence” Theme
As much as I enjoy being with other people and having an amazing time, I also love being alone in my studio. I find moments of calm reflection help to unravel experiences and decode new information. By enriching your creative life you cultivate new ideas that grow inside. You need to experience the world to make work that connects with people. We can’t create in a vacuum and need the human connection that sparks new ideas.
Uncertain Times
We have gone through enormous changes over the past few years that have impacted every aspect of our lives. Personally, I’ve found it challenging to adapt to the uncertain times we live in. It’s given us all a chance for a reset, whether that’s a good thing or not depends on your perspective. Creativity thrives during times of adversity and we see our true nature revealed. The personal strength of a creative mind is powerful and when we’re confronted with things that aren’t working we want to change them.
Favorite Piece of Work
The ‘YOU&ME’ mural in Leeds that was unveiled in 2021 is my favorite piece of work I’ve made. It’s a public artwork that occupies a part of the city where I studied as a young student. From the day it was unveiled it has connected with the people in the city and beyond. It’s a simple artwork but communicates a powerful message of community and togetherness. People take photographs with the mural in the background, groups of friends, newly married couples, and strangers who have just met. It’s wonderful to see how people interact and connect with my work in this way, it was what I hoped would happen.
Creative Block
Everyone suffers from creative block at some stage. By learning from how we navigate our way out of that situation, it can help us to avoid it in the future. My strategy is to take a few days off and go and do something that can help your creative mind reset. Go walking or cycling in the countryside, swim in the sea, and spend time doing nothing. Give yourself time to unwind and experience life away from work. Visit a gallery, watch a movie. Have a conversation with your best friend. All of these things will help your mind to work out the next step. There’s always a way around a problem, you just have to think about things differently sometimes.
Recharging
I get huge enjoyment and pleasure from what I do. When I’m making new work that I get excited about I can’t wait to share it with people. It gives me the energy to make more work and when I get a positive response it urges me on. I’m ambitious for my work, I want it to be seen by lots of people, I think I have something to say that connects with people. So I carry on and make work that I find satisfying and that hopefully, people will connect with.
I recharge by spending time with my friends, experiencing the world outside work, and relaxing. But at the back of my mind, I’m always thinking of the next project, slowly developing ideas and thinking of new connections I can make through my work.
Favorite artists
Here are three people I enjoy following on Instagram:
- Daniel is a visual artist who makes work through the process and rigorous systems, all done with humanity and wit.
- I met Maxime and Adèle recently, they are lovely people and make amazing collage work that feels contemporary yet also traditional.
- Rejane is an amazing designer whose work is rooted in a desire to make the world a better place. She has incredible energy and is super fun to be around!
Current Work
An exhibition of new work, a large scale public artwork in Liverpool, a range of stationary, a typeface, lots of exciting things!
A Message on a Billboard in the Center of Bucharest
‘JOY IN LIFE’
