Savannah-based artist Angela Burson creates captivating acrylic paintings that transform ordinary household objects into windows of personal and familial identity. Her latest exhibition "Analog Conditions" at Hashimoto Contemporary in New York City showcases her distinctive approach to exploring what our belongings reveal about who we are, from the clothes we choose each morning to the drinks we enjoy at dinner.
Burson's artistic process begins with vintage photographs, which she reinterprets through her unique lens, focusing on old-fashioned clothing, decorative tile patterns, and common household items. Her signature style deliberately distorts proportions and perspectives, creating a surreal atmosphere enhanced by her characteristic cropping techniques and headless figures. The mysterious scenes are painted in a vivid, nostalgic palette dominated by yellow, baby blue, and pale dusty rose tones.
The intrigue in Burson's work is immediately apparent in pieces like "Taking Notes," where viewers witness two figures seated at a table – one in a suit scribbling notes while the other reaches for an olive martini. The ambiguous nature of the scene leaves audiences questioning whether they're observing an investigation into criminal activity or documenting something far more mundane. Similarly, "Disconnected" features a mysterious cord-cutter and a black rotary phone that seems destined to become evidence in some unknown inquiry.
While some of Burson's paintings suggest nefarious activities, others focus on more delicate details that showcase her masterful cropping technique. Her close-up views capture intimate moments: sheer, polka-dotted socks, slender hands gripping cocktail glasses, and other personal accessories that speak to individual identity and style.
The "Analog Conditions" series specifically depicts "artificially created situations that mimic real-world circumstances," according to the artist's statement. Throughout the collection, recurring symbols like suitcases and beloved pets suggest themes of freedom and companionship. However, Burson maintains her enigmatic approach, leaving viewers with puzzling questions: Why does an open pill box sit next to an unattended puppy? What circumstances led to the adoption of that adorable calico kitten?
The exhibition features nine works created in 2025, including "Western Martini" (acrylic on panel, 12 x 16 inches), "Olive and Pillbox" (acrylic on linen, 16 x 20 inches), and the large-scale "Patches" (acrylic on linen, 60 x 40 x 1 1/2 inches). Other notable pieces include "Yellow Shoes," "Vintage Taupe," "Yellow Bow," "Ozark Magic," and "Pencil," each rendered in Burson's distinctive style.
Though deliberately ambiguous and inconclusive, Burson's paintings serve a deeper purpose by prompting viewers to "question the existential meaning of it all," as her artist statement explains. The works challenge audiences to look beyond surface appearances and consider the deeper significance of the objects and moments that fill our daily lives.
"Analog Conditions" is on display from September 6 to 27 at Hashimoto Contemporary in New York City. Art enthusiasts can explore more of Burson's work through her website and Instagram profile, where additional examples of her mysterious and thought-provoking artistic vision are available.
