Following a successful advertising photography career Hugh now directs his energy to constructing surreal digital imaginations. The process involves the manipulation and overlaying of any number of digital images to expose an alternative reality.
His aesthetic references cultural and ecological themes or he simply explores narratives suggested by observed textures. This trick of the eye is called pareidolia; the human tendency to seek patterns in random information.
Both approaches result in images that belie the origins of the final conception and contain their own now unique narrative.
Alongside limited edition prints Hugh also produces single mixed media pieces combining artworks with found items and often illuminated with gold or silver leaf.
All images from the portfolio are available to collect as limited edition prints for your home, your office or give as a beautiful unique gift.
The images are superbly printed on museum archival quality paper in limited editions of 50, 25 or 10 in sizes as stated. They are signed, rolled in tissue paper and sent in a sturdy cardboard tube with a certificate of authenticity.
I am so confident in the quality and beauty of the edition prints that in the unlikely event you disagree you may return them in the same condition within 14 days (at your expense) - no questions asked.
For more information, commissions, collaborations, exhibitions, talks, simply e mail: hugh@hughburdenart.co.uk - I will be delighted to hear from you.
To buy for your collection or the perfect gift; major credit cards are accepted via secure Paypal 'Checkout'
Residing on buildings and walls, mosses, lichens, stains and crumblings often present themselves as wonderful surreal landscapes. Natures masterpieces created on rock, brick, stone & concrete. After carefully photographing these original canvases additionlal elements are added; an artistic collaboration between Man and Nature
click on thumbnails to see the BIGGER picture, click red cross or out of image to return
I noticed Nature playfully creates aquatic scapes when etching lichen, contoured with mould, into masonry. Playing with this watery notion and juxtaposing pond water, reeds and fish over the photographed original stone canvas; misty morning lake landscapes metamorphosed.
click on thumbnails to ponder the BIGGER scene, click red cross or out of image to return
It is no secret that humankind can often be no friend to the natural world. This collection interprets patterns and forms on walls as landscapes (pareidolia) that illustrate environmental issues we face. To the original wall photographs multiple images were overlaid, manipulated and blended.
The constructs represent an aesthetic vocabulary referencing humankind's disregard for our planet; The Writing Is On The Wall.
clicking on thumbnails reveals a LARGER viewpoint, click red cross or out of image to return
click on thumbnails to 'sea' the ENLARGED image. click red cross or out of image to return
I came across this location in Llantwit Major, South Wales, with billions of Jurassic boulders. It was obvious there were photographs to be made here; but how eluded me for a while. I sat for a couple of hours contemplating the millions of grey scattered boulders. The light changed, the tide receded, people came and went but the rocks were silent; I could not see the photograph.
About to concede, my own big bang theory evolved. It occured to me that the rocks, seemingly infinite and randomly dispersed, had an affinity with the Universe. With a little intervention and a further trip to photograph the 3000 million year old pink rocks of Perros-Guirec, Brittany these divergent cosmic worlds were made.
click on thumbnails for 'the BIGGER bang' picture, click red cross or out of image to return
Trees communicate with each other via fungal networks to combat threats, nicknamed by researchers as the wood wide web. When sharing information and resources they give special attention to their offspring. By way of payment for the lines of communication the fungus is supplied nutrients.
Uncovering a pile of damp rotting pine planks myriads of intricate fungus fronds were revealed. Each fungus laden layer resembled diminutive forests. By merging images of pine trees with the fungus I set about exploring the resemblances between the trees and their symbiotic partner; re-imagined surreal forest landscapes.
click on thumbnails to GROW the forests bigger, click red cross or out of image to return
Musings on ice caps, ozone, populace and sea levels.
click on thumbnails to INCREASE the vision, click red cross or out of image to return
Fire debris observed on the roadside on inspection revealing hidden messages, glyphs projected by forces unseen and unknown
click on thumbnails to EXPAND the discovery, click red cross or out of image to return
2017 Solo show, The Bocabar, Bristol
2018 Art Trail Solo show at Studio, Bristol
2018 Solo Show, Guildhall Chambers, Bristol
2019 Joint Show, Leigh Court, Bristol
2019 Joint Show, Art Trail, St Monicas, Bristol
2019 Open Exhibition, Royal West Academy
2021 Open Exhibition, Royal West Academy
2022 Joint Show, BS9 Art Trail, Bristol
Bath, Bordeaux, Bristol, Cardiff, Gloucester, Hastings, London,
Maidenhead, Paris, Scunthorpe, Sydney.