Burke’s Delight The Stacey and Michael Burke Collection

Ogden Museum of Southern Art has become known for its dedication to telling the Story of the South through the rich and diverse artistic practice of the region’s visual artists. With its commitment to showcasing underrepresented voices, the Museum plays a crucial role in representing the complexity of Southern identity. Continuing this tradition, Ogden Museum of Southern Art presents Burke’s Delight: The Stacey and Michael Burke Collection, featuring a significant recent donation of over 80 works by more than 50 artists from across the American South. This donation not only expands the Museum’s already impressive collection but also highlights the profound contributions of self-taught and Visionary artists to the region’s artistic heritage. This exhibition presents work that often challenges traditional notions of artistic values and aesthetics through the use of unconventional materials and techniques. These deeply authentic makers explore themes common to the Southern experience, such as family, tradition, the land, community, memory, spirituality and resilience in the face of adversity.

Michael Burke started collecting self-taught art in flea markets, auctions and galleries, but his passion quickly led him to seek out artists in their studios and environments across the South. Over the course of 45 years, Michael (eventually joined by his wife, Stacey) collected an extraordinary array of work by self-taught artists whose practice reflected his vision for a collection based upon authenticity and ingenuity. This collection features iconic works by renowned artists, including Bill Traylor, Sam Doyle and Nellie Mae Rowe. It also includes lesser-known creators whose contributions have long been overlooked. The Burkes’ donation represents one of the most significant gifts from this genre in the Museum’s history, both in size and impact. By placing these works in the care of the Museum, the Burkes ensure their preservation and appreciation by future generations. This gift is a powerful tool, enabling the Museum to more fully tell the Story of the South by exploring the breadth of creativity found across the region’s vernacular art traditions.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art is dedicated to presenting and preserving the art of the American South. Exhibitions like this are made possible through the generosity of supporters.

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