Mark Burrell (b. 1957) is a British Artist, born and resident in Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK. He spent a year during his childhood in Libya. Returning to Lowestoft he studied art at Lowestoft College but considers himself self-taught.

Portrait of the artist Mark Burrell 2014

Burrell has won numerous prizes for his art including winning the Lucy Morrison Memorial Prize. His work has also featured in books and in magazines, including illustrations for 'The Iron Bridge' by John Ward. He is also conjointly with Peter Rodulfo a leading member of the North Sea Magical Realists.

Bertie by the Beach

Bertie by the Beach is a magical rhyming story about a little crab and all his special friends who live by the sea. We learn about the things he loves to do, his magical dreams and tales of adventure. This story is playful and optimistic with a subtle message about the importance of people, diversity, kindness, and friendship. Illustrated by the author Mark Burrell, who is an award-winning artist and now first-time author of this beautiful captivating tale that will enchant children and adults alike. See more of Marks art work at markburrellart.com and see more at https://pegasuspublishers.com/books/childrens-fiction/bertie-by-the-beach

Critical appraisal

In a career now spanning several decades, Burrell has exhibited his paintings throughout East Anglia, London, and the US, receiving much critical acclaim, including the following -

Burrell's work is obsessive and probing, revealing underlying elements that question ones sense of self. A psychotic surrealism that is a refreshing assault on ritualised aesthetics [1]
The paintings by Mark Burrell convey rare command of a very peculiar and very English painter, for Mark is essentially a story teller who employs pigment rather than words to construct allegories, fables and fictions. His fantastic narratives are as much concerned with plot, setting and character as they are with line space and colour.[2]
...(His) paintings are colourful and often very personal, and at times very mysterious indeed, these paintings can be looked at again and again, there are touches of humour as well as the darker side of life, from strange green beings growing out of bushes, communing with ghosts, to sheep in fields flying.[3]
Mark paints symbolist figurative oils with psychic, religious or political themes, often dealing with intense states of mind or emotion, a highly patterned world in beautiful states of decay. [4]
His work has a visionary quality to it, which embraces deep rich colours of mysterious blues through to purples. The pictures come to life through delicate lighting whether it is a full moon, sunset, or from some magical source.

Media appearances

Burrell has frequently appeared on British TV and radio including-

  • Anglia Television: Mark discusses his paintings and relevance to Lowestoft's heritage and forthcoming heritage open days: Interview with Kate Prout at Marks gallery and studio (August)
  • BBC Radio Suffolk: Mark discusses his painting in the virtual online exhibition with the Easterly Artists. Telephone interview with Johnny Wright during lockdown (May)   
* Anglia Television Programme: 'Coastal Inspiration's' Interviewed in the artists studio with work exhibited: Series on Lowestoft
* BBC 2 TV Programme: Matter of Fact Cabbage Patch War (Nov 1996)
* Anglia Television: 'The Front Row' Paintings Exhibited: Presented by Shaun Meo: November 1995
* Anglia Television: 'Moving Art' Awarded First Prize. Presenter George Melly, interviewed by Sister Wendy Beckett and prize awarded by Bill Oddie: November 1991
* Anglia Television: personal Interview and paintings exhibited: August 1991
* Mustard TV: Work shown in documentary 'Bendy Caravans and Everlasting Pens written and produced by Nick Murray-Brown http://www.nickmurraybrown.co.uk/film.htm

Exhibitions

2023

Ferini Art Gallery Suffolk: Resident Artist and Winter Exhibition

The Grit Suffolk: Mixed Exhibition – To the Sea

Lowestoft Heritage Days: Artist Studio and Gallery open to the public  


2022

Yare Art Gallery, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk: Mixed Exhibition: Humans, Strength and Frailty

Ferini Art Gallery Suffolk: Resident Artist and Winter Exhibition


2021

Open Studios, Suffolk: Artist Studio and Gallery open to public  

Lowestoft Heritage Days: Artist Studio and Gallery open to the public

Yare Art Gallery, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk: Mixed Exhibition

Adrian Hill Fine Art Gallery, Holt, Norfolk: Mixed Exhibition and shortlisted for the Sir John Hurt Art Prize

Chappell Galleries Essex: Winter Exhibition – Mixed Show

The Art Gallery Suffolk: Mixed Show

Ferini Art Gallery Suffolk: Resident Artist and Winter Exhibition


2020

Chappel Galleries, Essex: New Year Selection

2019

Chappel Galleries, Essex: Solo Exhibition
Easterly Artists: Lowestoft Heritage week, Suffolk: Mixed Exhibition
Open Studios, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Artist studio open to public
Easterly Artists, Britten Centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Mixed Exhibition
Ferini Art Gallery, Suffolk: The Four Marks: Four Man Show and video interview
Ferini Art Gallery, Suffolk: Resident Artist
Beccles Public Hall: Documentary Film ‘Bendy Caravans’ shown to the public

2018

Skippings Gallery, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk: Two Man Exhibition Open Studios, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Artist studio open to public Ferini Art Gallery Suffolk: Resident Artist

2017

Tripp Gallery London: The North Sea Magical Realists: Three Man Exhibition
Buckingham Gallery, Southwold, Suffolk
Open Studios: Artist studio open to public
Ferini Art Gallery Suffolk: Resident Artist

2016

Buckingham Gallery, Southwold
Suffolk Open Studios: Artist studio open to public
Ferini Art Gallery Suffolk: Resident Artist

2015

Craft Co Art Gallery, Southwold, Suffolk: Two Person Exhibition Ferini Art Gallery, Suffolk: Resident Artist   Open Studios: Artist studio open to public

2014

Ferini Art Gallery, Suffolk: Solo Exhibition with video interview
Suffolk Open Studios, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Ferini Art Gallery, Suffolk: Resident Artist
The Coconut Loft Art Gallery, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Opening Exhibition
Great Yarmouth Library, Norfolk: Two Man Exhibition with Peter Rodulfo

2013

Assembly House Art Show: Arts Alive Norwich, Norfolk

2012

West Halls Secret Postcard Auction: Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge
Other exhibitors included the Prime Minister David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Twiggy, Maggi Hambling, Bernard Hill, and Tessa Newcomb.

2011

Assembly House Art Show: Flying Colours Fascinating Forms, Norwich Playhouse, Norfolk: Two Man Exhibition Ferini Art Gallery, Suffolk: Summer Show

2010

Ferini Art Gallery, Suffolk: Christmas Show
Eastern Open, King's Lynn, Norfolk

2008

Norwich Castle Museum: Open Art Show: Chosen by William Boyer (Royal Academy), Benjamin Sullivan (Royal Portrait Society) and Peter Brown (N.E.A.C) Open Studios, Suffolk: Artist studio open to public The Cut, Halesworth, Suffolk: Drawings and Paintings, accompanied by excerpts from the Poem ‘The Iron Bridge’, Written by John Ward. Ferini Art Gallery Lowestoft, Suffolk: Three Man Exhibition The Cut Halesworth, Suffolk: Christmas Show Prize Winner of ‘The People's Choice’

2007

The Cut Halesworth, Suffolk: Christmas Art Show’ Prize Winner of ’The People's Choice’

2006

Exhibited at The House of Commons
Anglia Television: Part of the series ‘Coastal Inspirations’ filmed in Lowestoft Suffolk, Interviewed on Television and Work Exhibited

2005

Ferini Art Gallery, Suffolk: Drawings and paintings created for ‘The Iron Bridge’ book by John Ward The Warehouse, Lowestoft, Suffolk:  Summer Show The forum, Norwich, Norfolk: ‘Norwich Market’ Drawings exhibited Open Studios, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Artist studio open to public Eastern Open, King's Lynn, Norfolk

2004

Open Studios, Lowestoft, Suffolk
‘The Iron Bridge’ book. ‘Drawings and paintings’ by Mark Burrell: Author, John Ward

2003

Cork Street Gallery, London Seachange Gallery, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk: Solo Exhibition Interart Gallery, New York, USA Galleriart – Kirkcudbright, Scotland Williamsburg Historical Art Centre, New York, USA

2001

Galerie de Vis Noorderhaven, Holland
Gissing Hall, Gissing ‘Portrait Works’
The Open Studios, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Blackthorpe Barn, Roughman
The New Wosley Theatre, Ipswich
The John Russell Gallery, Ipswich

2000

The Eastern Open, King's Lynn
Open Studios, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Halesworth Gallery, Suffolk
Yoxford Gallery, Yoxford
Electric House Gallery, Ipswich
Buckingham Galleries, Southwold
The Affordable Art Fair, London
Galerie de Vis Noorderhaven, Holland
The Mall Galleries, London 'The Discerning Eye'
Geneva Gallery – Lowestoft, Suffolk

1999

Chappell Galleries, Essex: Solo Exhibition Work Exhibited in Holland
Lowestoft Town Hall, The Council Chambers, Suffolk
Suffolk Open Studios: Artist studio open to public
The Red Dot Gallery, Ipswich, Suffolk
Artists Gallery, Electric House, Ipswich, Suffolk
The Yoxford Gallery, Suffolk
Cottons Yard Gallery, Yoxford, Suffolk
Halesworth Gallery, Steeple End, Suffolk
Old Stable Gallery Diss, Norfolk
Raphael Gallery, Suffolk: Opening Exhibition
Open Studios Lowestoft Suffolk: Artist studio open to public
Chappell Galleries, Essex
Artexpo, New York, U.S.A

1998

Chappell Galleries, Essex: Solo Exhibition
Lowestoft Library, Lowestoft, Suffolk
The Yoxford Gallery, Yoxford
Cottons Yard Gallery, Yoxford
Halesworth Gallery, Steeple End
Old Stable Gallery, Diss, Suffolk
Raphael Gallery Open Studios

1997

The Minories Art Gallery, Colchester, Essex
The Laing, National Art Competition, Raveningham, Norfolk
The Eastern Open, King's Lynn Arts Centre, Norfolk
St Margaret's Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk Works of the Imagination (Contemporary Figurative Exhibition)
Chappell Galleries, Essex

1996

Eastern Open, King's Lynn, Norfolk Arts Centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Various Dimensions
The Advice Arcade Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk: Summer Exhibition
Gallery, St George's Street, Norwich, Norfolk
Regent Road Art Gallery, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Arts Forum
Halesworth Gallery, Steeple End, Suffolk

1995

Le Chat, Noir Gallery, Mayfair, London Logos Art Gallery, Bloomsbury, London
Mall Galleries ‘The Discerning Eye’ London
Regent Road Art Gallery, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Art Forum
Norwich Castle Museum, Norwich, Norfolk

1994

Eastern Open, King's Lynn Arts Centre, Norfolk: Painting Highly Commended
Regent Road Art Gallery, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Solo Exhibition
The Corpusty Gallery, Norfolk: Three-Person Exhibition
The Spectator, 7th National Award
The Fruit market Gallery, Edinburgh
Sotheby's: New Bond Street, London

1993

Contact Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk, The Human Condition: Three-Person Exhibition
Regent Road Art Gallery, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Arts Forum
Chappel Galleries, Essex: Summer Exhibition
Gallery 12, B Fredrikstad, Norway
Boundary Gallery, Cransfield, Suffolk
Gallery 44, Aldeburgh, Suffolk: Solo Exhibition
Castle Museum, Norwich, Norfolk: Norfolk Art Now

1992

Mall Galleries, London: Wilde Contemporary Art The Splinter Gallery, London: Painters Today Boundary Gallery, Cransfield, Suffolk: Summer/Autumn Exhibition The Gallery, 74 South Audley Street, London Regent Road Art Gallery, Lowestoft, Suffolk Chappel Galleries, Essex Cork Brick Gallery, Bungay, Suffolk: Christmas Exhibition Chappel Galleries, Essex: Christmas Exhibition

1991

Eastern Open, King's Lynn Arts Centre, Norfolk Boundary Gallery, Cransford, Suffolk – Easter Exhibition
The Picture Place, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Eastern Arts – Open Studio
Chappel Galleries, Essex Royal Over Seas League, London: ‘A View of the New Exhibition: Lucy Morison Memorial Prize’ awarded for an Oil Painting
Norwich Artists Group, Norfolk
King's Lynn Art Centre, Norfolk
Norfolk and Norwich Festival: Open Studio
Boundary Gallery, Suffolk. Summer Exhibition and Christmas Show
The Splinter Gallery, London

1990

Regent Road Gallery, Lowestoft, Suffolk Chappel Galleries, Essex: Solo Exhibition
Centre d’Art Contemporain, Rouen, France
The Knapp Gallery, London
The Halesworth Gallery, Suffolk
Norwich School of Art, Norwich, Norfolk: Norwich Artists
Boundary Gallery, Suffolk: Summer Exhibition
The School House Gallery, Norfolk

1989

Eastern Open: The Fermoy Gallery, King's Lynn
Norfolk Contact Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk: An Intensity of Vision
Castle Museum, Norwich, Norfolk: Art Now
Norwich School of Art, Norwich, Norfolk: Norwich Artists
Chappel Galleries, Essex: Summer Exhibition
Advice Arcade Gallery, Norwich, Norfolk
Norwich 20 Group, Norwich, Norfolk
Art Auction Centre, Norwich Union Headquarters, Norfolk: In Aid of Third World  

1988

Mall Galleries, London: Britain's Painters
Central Library, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Christie's Assembly Rooms, Norwich
Norfolk: Cley mill Appeal

1987

The Royal Academy, London: Summer Exhibition

References

  1. East Anglian Daily Times December 2000
  2. Images Magazine 1990 by Tony Collins, Head of School of Art and Design, Lowestoft College, Suffolk
  3. Eastern Daily Press, Arts Review
  4. Wilde Contemporary Art, The Mall Galleries, London
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