Burton Morris (Pennsylvania, 1964) is an acclaimed Pop Art artist known primarily for his bold and energetic interpretations of popular culture iconography. His subjects include everyday objects that he reimagines, imbuing them with movement and dynamism. His distinctive style is characterized by sharp contours and vivid colors in all of his works.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1964, Morris developed a fascination with visual storytelling from an early age, drawing inspiration from comic strips, cartoons, and mid-20th-century advertising. This served as the basis for the artist’s distinctive approach, which involves distilling objects and symbols down to their most essential forms through sharp outlines, dynamic lines of action, and calculated contrasts. The energy in his paintings reflects the fast pace and constant evolution of contemporary life.
He graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University in 1986 and subsequently worked in advertising, where he honed his narrative skills. In 1990, he founded Burton Morris Studios and achieved international recognition in 1992 when Absolut Vodka selected him to represent Pennsylvania in its Absolut Statehood campaign. In 1994, his work became popular worldwide when it was featured in the visual design of the television series Friends, shown for more than ten seasons in the Central Perk coffee shop.
With over 35 years of experience, Burton Morris is a key figure in contemporary pop art. His work has been featured at major international events such as the Summer Olympics, the Oscars, the FIFA World Cup, and the MLB All-Star Game, and has been commissioned by renowned institutions and brands including the United Nations, Coca-Cola, Apple, Chanel, Rolex, Amazon, and Microsoft.
His works are part of prestigious institutional collections, including the Albright-Knox Museum, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the Barack Obama Presidential Center. In addition, he has been collected by influential figures in film, fashion, sports, and politics, such as Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Stan Lee, Ralph Lauren, and former President Barack Obama, consolidating his international impact and relevance.
