Kelly Burke
Artist Statement
I have created through my Reimagined American Flags Series visual representations of my perspective on three major issues in the US today that bother me: 1) problems with xenophobia, bigotry, and anti-immigration policies; 2) the disproportionate killing of innocent African American men, women, and children; and 3) the unprecedented deaths due largely to unregulated access to not just handguns but also military-grade AK 47 assault rifles.
The related 'States of Being' series focuses on the 50 stars/states as part of my larger project to push the symbolic potential of the American flag's structure. Here I use 'states' to represent both individual states of being and the collective states within the US. I have completed nine paintings in this series each of which deals with a different identity such as related to being black. LGBTQ+, and ethnic minorities, but also political issues such as in the S.O.S. and Women United versions.
These flags and the related 'states of being' series are intended to stimulate constructive conversations on various ways to be patriotic without being xenophobic, racist, and bigoted toward people of other groups. I hope they also stimulate individual insights about why and how we should be more humane with one another. I have reimagined three American flags that not only I believe in but also may inspire solutions to how we can make the US a safer place for all its citizens to live out their lives fully.
Portfolio
Don’t Lives Matter
Oil on Canvas • 2016
$7500
Some Hoax: No _ _ _ _ Sherlock
Oil on Canvas • 2020
$3500
Goddamn Series
Paper and colored pencil • 2021
$600.00
States of Being IV: LGBTQ+
Oil on canvas • 2016
$2500
Birth of GOPQ+
Acrylic on canvas • 2021
$ 2,000
Founded on the freedom of?
Oil on Canvas • 2016
$15000
1/6/2021: Divided or United States?
Acrylic on canvas • 2021
$5000
50 States United for BLM
Acrylic on Canvas • 2020
$10000
Christian or Immigrant Nation?
Acrylic on canvas • 2018
$15000
We The People SOS!
Oil on Canvas • 2019
$9000
Staes of Being: X Black Power
acrylic on canvas • 2020
$3500
States of Being II: Diverse
Quilted painted applique stars on fabric • 2017
$1500
Untitled
Reimagined American Flag I: All Lives Matter
oil on canvas • 2015
$25000
Reimagined American Flag
Collage • 2017
$500.00
Goddamn Series
Colored pencil • 2021
$600.00
Save Our Ship
Oil on canvas • 2017
NFS
Reimagined American Flag: All Lives Matter
Quilt • 2017
$2500.00
Reimagined American Flag: “All Lives Matter”
Fabric/Quilting • 2017
$2500.00
Reimagined American Flag: “All Lives Matter”
Fabric and ink
$2500.00
Reimagined American Flag
Collage • 2017
$500.00
Save Our Ship
Oil on canvas • 2017
NFS
States of Being II: Diverse
Quilted painted applique stars on fabric • 2017
$1500
1/6/2021: Divided or United States?
Acrylic on canvas • 2021
$5000
We The People SOS!
Oil on Canvas • 2019
$9000
Christian or Immigrant Nation?
Acrylic on canvas • 2018
$15000
Save Our Ship
Oil on canvas • 2017
NFS
Reimagined American Flag I: All Lives Matter
oil on canvas • 2015
$25000