As part of the Dylan Thomas centenary celebrations, Swansea’s favourite son gets a radically modern makeover from one of the UK’s most exciting artists. Jon Burgerman, famous for his highly colourful, vibrant art and illustrations, has created a very large-scale collection of weird and wonderful references to Dylan’s writing such as Under Milk Wood. Situated opposite the castle and the wilds of Wind Street, Burgerman’s eclectic mural links to both the past and future. We caught up with him for a quick chat ahead of his commission for Art Across The City 2014.
Who are you?
Jon Burgerman. Living in Brooklyn, originally from the UK. 34. Two eyes. Ten toes. One good knee
Hello, how are you?
Buoyant and brimming full of burrito.
What do you do?
I am an artist that draws things and colours them in. Sometimes I sing, sometimes I dance but mainly I sit and stroke my stubbly chin.
What have you been doing recently?
I’ve been working on a variety of projects that include an animation for TV, a series of portraits of girls I’ve seen on Tumblr for an exhibition and a collection of photographs entitled Head Shots were I pose in front of advertisements and billboards where someone is brandishing a weapon.
What are you doing for Art Across The City in Swansea?
I’ve made a big (3.65 x 3.65m), colourful homage to Dylan Thomas and his work. I was inspired by the work of Thomas, particularly his most famous pieces and the characters in his writing.
What do you think the public will make of it?
I hope they’ll work out what some of the imagery is referring to and enjoy being engulfed momentarily in an oversized, over-saturated, Dylan Thomas cartoon world.
What are you up to next?
Amongst other things I’ve just started working on a couple of storybook projects, so I think I’m in for lots of painful writing sessions and back and forth’s with the publishers.
Jon Burgerman’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Doodle can be seen on the corner of Castle Square, facing Wind Street, 12th April – 1st June. A signed Limited Edition print will be available in an edition of 10, priced £100.
