AK Burns is an American contemporary artist known for her thought-provoking and socially conscious works. Born in Albany, New York, Burns received her MFA from the Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts at Bard College. Her works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, and she has received critical acclaim for her innovative and challenging pieces. One of Burns' most well-known works is a series called "The AK Burns Series," which explores themes of gender, identity, and power. This series has been shown at top galleries such as the 303 Gallery and The Kitchen, and has been featured in major publications like Artforum and The New York Times. Aside from her solo work, Burns also collaborates with artist A.L. Steiner as A.K. Burns and A.L. Steiner. Together, they have created groundbreaking pieces that challenge societal norms and push the boundaries of traditional art forms.AK Burns - Wikipedia
The 303 Gallery, located in the heart of Chelsea in New York City, is one of the most influential contemporary art galleries in the world. Since its founding in 1984, the gallery has showcased cutting-edge works by emerging and established artists. In 2012, the 303 Gallery held a solo exhibition for AK Burns, featuring her "The AK Burns Series" as well as other works. One of the standout pieces from the exhibition was Shabby but Thriving, a video installation that explored themes of queerness, capitalism, and resistance. The piece received high praise from critics and solidified Burns' place in the contemporary art world.AK Burns - 303 Gallery
The Kitchen is an experimental performance and art space in New York City that has been showcasing avant-garde works since 1971. In 2015, Burns held a solo exhibition at The Kitchen titled Shiver in the Pull: A Clockwork Orange, which was a multimedia installation featuring sculpture, video, and performance. The exhibition delved into ideas of control, conformity, and rebellion, and received critical acclaim for its thought-provoking and visually striking pieces. The New York Times praised Burns for "pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in contemporary art."AK Burns - The Kitchen
The Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, is one of the most prestigious art institutions in the world. In 2017, Burns was selected as one of the artists to participate in MoMA's prestigious PS1 residency program. During her residency, she created a site-specific installation titled Untitled (studies for possible meanings), which was a multimedia piece exploring the connection between language and power. The piece was met with critical acclaim and solidified Burns' place as an influential and thought-provoking artist in the contemporary art scene.AK Burns - MoMA
Artforum is a leading contemporary art magazine known for its in-depth coverage and critical analysis of the art world. Burns' works have been featured in the magazine multiple times, including a cover story in 2012. The magazine praised Burns for her ability to "push the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable in contemporary art while also challenging societal norms and power structures." Her thought-provoking and visually striking works have been a staple in the magazine's coverage of the art world.AK Burns - Artforum
The New York Times is one of the most influential newspapers in the world, and their coverage of AK Burns has helped propel her into the mainstream art world. In 2017, Burns was featured in an article titled "AK Burns: Pushing Boundaries and Challenging Norms in Contemporary Art." The article highlighted Burns' unique perspective and her ability to use her art to spark important conversations about gender, identity, and power. It also praised her collaborations with A.L. Steiner and their ability to challenge traditional notions of art and society.AK Burns - The New York Times
The Whitney Museum of American Art is a world-renowned institution dedicated to showcasing the best of contemporary American art. In 2017, Burns was selected to participate in the Whitney Biennial, the museum's prestigious exhibition that showcases the most innovative and thought-provoking works of the year. Her piece Living Room, a multimedia installation exploring themes of domesticity and gender roles, was one of the standout pieces of the exhibition and received high praise from both critics and museum-goers.AK Burns - The Whitney Museum
The Guggenheim is another iconic art institution that has featured Burns' works in their exhibitions. In 2019, Burns was invited to participate in the museum's annual "Art after Dark" event, where she presented a performance piece titled Dark Matter. The piece was a collaboration between Burns and A.L. Steiner and explored the idea of darkness and its connection to power and control. The Guggenheim praised the performance for its ability to "challenge societal norms and spark important conversations about power and resistance."AK Burns - The Guggenheim
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met, is one of the most iconic museums in the world, known for its extensive collection of art from all corners of the globe. In 2019, Burns was invited to participate in The Met's "Artists and Activism" series, where she presented a new video work titled Stand-In. The video explored issues of representation and power dynamics within the art world, and was met with high praise for its thought-provoking and visually striking content.AK Burns - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, has been a major supporter of Burns' work, featuring her in multiple exhibitions and programs. In 2020, Burns was selected to participate in MoMA's "Contemporary Talks" series, where she gave a lecture on her practice and the themes that drive her work. The talk was met with high attendance and received praise for Burns' ability to use her art to challenge societal norms and spark important conversations about power and resistance.AK Burns - The Museum of Modern Art