Artist Spotlight | Sharon J. Burton
Sharon J. Burton is a Washington, DC area self-taught artist and independent curator.
As a child growing up in Upstate New York, Burton displayed considerable talent in the visual arts and was recognized at her school and by local organizations for her creations. Throughout her life, Burton has continued to pursue her passion as a patron and eventually, as more involved when she launched her business, Authentic Contemporary Art in 2005. Since 2007, Sharon has reawakened her own inner artist after 19 years.
Burton has been exploring the use of a variety of mediums to express her interest in spirituality, gender issues and African American history and culture. Her most recent work has included digital photography, oil pastel, collage, assemblage, water color and mixed media on paper and canvas. Her work has been featured in in group shows and events in Atlanta, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Rehoboth, DE, Baltimore and New York City.
Her artwork, entitled \\\"Believe\\\", was selected in May 2009 to be the cover art for the book, Liberated Muse, Volume 1: How I Freed My Soul, an anthology edited by Khadijah Ali-Coleman of the social network Liberated Muse. The book, which was published in June 2009, features art, poetry and short stories from DC area and nationally-known artists and literary contributors. \\\"Getaway\\\" another work of art by Burton is also featured in the book.
Burton has attended classes in Art History and Studio Arts from the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC), The Torpedo Factory (Arlington, Virginia), Montpelier Arts Center (Laurel, Maryland), Maryland Institute College of Art (Baltimore, Maryland), The Spurill Arts Center (Atlanta, Georgia) and Harmony Hall Regional Arts Center (Fort Washington, Maryland).
Burton is a member of various local and national art and professional organizations including the Washington Project for the Arts, Ward 7 Arts Collaborative and the Women\\\'s Caucus for Art.
Her office and studio is located in Fort Washington, Maryland.
Artist Statement for Artwork
Freedom Series
I created the \\\"Freedom Series\\\" as a result of my art being included in the Liberated Muse Anthology, Vol. 1: How I Freed My Soul, by Khadijah Ali Coleman. The theme of freedom also resonated with me when I recently attended a performance in honor life of Saartjie Bartman, a South African woman who was paraded around Europe and gawked at because of her body shape.
Selected Works | Click thumbnail for details
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