Quick Facts
Biography
Bill Burns (born 1961) is a Canadian conceptual artist who lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Life and work
Burns is known for his writings, artists' books and multiples. He studied under Gerard Hemsworth and John Latham at Goldsmiths College in London, England. His most recognized work is his Safety Gear for Small Animals (SGSA) which was first shown at 303 Gallery in New York in 1994 [1] and later at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2005/2006 [2] and at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London in 2008. His 2002 project "Everything I Could Buy on eBay About Malaria" which was shown at the Wellcome Trust in London, England is considered a seminal work in the area of electronic collecting. [3] His work about life in the art world known as "A Brown-noser's Story" was shown at MASS MoCA in 2012.
Burns has published numerous books including Hans Ulrich Obrist Hear Us, London UK: Black Dog Publishing (2016). When Pain Strikes (Burns, Busby, Sawchuk), a critical anthology about pain and pain relief, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press (1999). [4] Other book titles include Analgesia [5] Montreal: Rochefort (1993); Urban Fauna Information Station. Toronto: Mercer Union (2002); Safety Gear for Small Animals Toronto: MOCCA, Toronto (2005); Bird Radio [6] Berlin: KW and Cologne: Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther Koenig (2007); The Flora and Fauna Information Service - 0.800.0.0FAUNA0FLORA. London: ICA (2008).; and Dogs and Boats and Airplanes Told in the Form of Ivan the Terrible [7]. Copenhagen: Space Poetry (2011). Burns has published dozens of guides, posters, and editions. His editions are included in major museum collections throughout the world.
Burns’ work has been exhibited in major museums and biennial exhibitions since the nineteen nineties. His most notable exhibitions include the ICA in London, the KW in Berlin, the MoMA in New York City as well as Forum Arte y Vida at the Havana Biennial in Havana, Cuba, 2003, the Bienal del Fin del Mundo in Ushuaia, Argentina, 2007 and the Quebec City Biennial - Manif d'art 5, 2010, Biennial of the Moving Image, Buenos Aires, 2013.