Brian Burkhardt: Take-Heed

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July 1 – November 2, 2024

Rotunda Gallery

Brian Burkhardt (American, b. 1971) brings a unique blend of experiences to his creative work. Hailing from Long Island, his childhood was a canvas of exploration, with the woods and streams around his home serving as his playground. His journey began as a commercial farmer, a profession that later led him to establish an organic farm. This venture not only introduced him to the intricate ecological relationships between worms, insects, and plants but also sparked his interest and concern for our environment, a theme that continues to inspire his art.

For his solo University of Wyoming exhibition in 2009, Burkhardt created a new work inspired by Wyoming's environment. Take-Heed is a collection of two different caterpillar forms, a male and female species, one with the word "take" and the other with the word "heed" inscribed on their bodies in Braille. Separately, the words infer opposing actions: "Take" implies the human ability to take from nature without forethought or concern for long-term consequences, while "heed" suggests a more cautionary approach. The expression "take heed" suggests a calling for awareness about our interactions with and actions upon our environment.

The University of Wyoming Art Museum is delighted to present a special exhibition of this unique piece in the Rotunda Gallery. This will allow viewers to approach the artwork with a sense of wonder and ponder the symbiotic relationships of humans, ecosystems, and species adaptation in contemporary environments.

Funded through the generosity of the Susan Moldenhauer FUNd for Contemporary Art.

Image: Brian Burkhardt (American, b. 1971), Take-Heed, 2009, mixed media, dimensions variable, gift of the artist and Gallery Diet, 2009.11.1