I Never Tell Anybody Anything The Life and Art of Edward Burra

Edward Burra (1905-76) was one of the most elusive British artists of the 20th century. Long underrated, his reputation has been suddenly rehabilitated, with the first major retrospective of his work for 25 years taking place in 2011 and record-breaking prices being paid for his work at auction.
In this film, the first serious documentary about Edward Burra made for television, leading art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon tells the remarkable story of his life. It follows Burra from his native town of Rye to the jazz clubs of prohibition-era New York, to the war-torn landscapes of the Spanish Civil War and back to England during the Blitz. It shows how Burra's increasingly disturbing and surreal work deepened and matured as he experienced at first hand some of the most tragic events of the century. Through letters and interviews with those who knew him, it paints an entertaining portrait of a true English eccentric.

[@michaelburgess9707]

This man was a genius. His depiction of Spain after the civil war is on par with Picasso's Guernica. I wish I could see one in person. Thanks for posting.

[@ObsoleteOddity]

This is an introduction to Burra's work for me. Absolutely captivating & enchanting! Thumbs up.

[@malikkash5863]

You probably dont give a shit but does someone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my login password. I would love any tips you can offer me.

[@bowiemalachi2529]

@Malik Kash instablaster :)

[@christophedevos3760]

I just adore Andrew Graham-Dixon. His enthousiasm is so addictive, you just fall in love with whatever art subject he is presenting. His shows are one of the reasons I became enamoured with 19th century American painting. And again, he does it with this painter. Thank you for posting this.

[@andreameigs1261]

As a sufferer of chronic pain for 20 years that started in my youth, that picture he drew at 13 and the stuff behind bars and windows really speaks to me. The transition in his art doesn't seem strange to me either. It's just maturation of what DOES matter which grows in scope. At a young age, partying is what matters, when you're a bit older, things like war really matter. When you are older than that, you see the even bigger picture: nature matters. Yes war is horrible but in the grand scheme of things, nature is the big picture. What he said at the end isn't necessarily nihilistic. He probably knew, as an accute observer of life than liver of it, that even if he told people what it was about, it wouldn't matter because they will say what they want anyway. It's just like how Darwinism was used to "justify" racism and genocide or how the conservation of energy is used to justify life after death without the less popular 3rd law of thermodynamics: that the entropy of the universe always increases. It's what "they" do. There is also the fact that when a piece says something to you on a profound level, and you ask the artist what it means, and their meaning is way less deep than yours, it doesn't matter then, either, because it means far more to the viewer than it meant to the artist. Though art cannot be created without something of the artist in it, it also doesn't have to mean anything deep to the artist either, but it may mean something profound to the viewer.

[@StorieGrubb]

I can't believe I've never heard of this amazing artist...wow. thank you!!!

[@AlexandraEpameinonda]

I am researching Burra's work, and when they said that he studied at Chelsea College of art, I got so excited :). I also study there... It is an amazing college and a great learning environment

[@ElliotFlowers]

Don't you get a good joke? Come on...

[@user-ju6lo9pg3e]

I really feel like I've missed out not hearing of this British water colourist sooner. His piece on the second world war is truly fierce. What a great episode.

[@og1kanobi40]

Fantastic biopic. Thanks for introducing me to a painter I was unfamiliar with. How is he not world reknowned???

[@yiannisteward]

It is a pitty we knew so little for a such a great artist..Thank you for introducing him to us..!

[@jimdavis8391]

Excellent film. I've admired Burra as much as his work since I was about 18. There are few people like him now. To me he isn't such an enigma, he was despite his fragility a product of his time. Sometimes silence speaks to us deafeningly.

[@aatt3209]

AGD is such a great narrator to give us a well-researched profiling of E. Burra - perhaps AGD successfully had pried open Burra, especially in Burra's profoundly significant take on the violence of war & his own mortality expressed in landscapes. I don't think Burra would mind.

[@pki4]

Wonderful. Thanks so much for uploading this documentary

[@tubepainter]

Excellent! enjoyed each moment. Thank you.

[@goodboybuddy1]

Wonderful! Enjoyed it very much. Thank you for making it available.

[@GoldenRatio2]

Thanks for uploading this. I've been searching for the full programme ever since it was first broadcast on the BBC a while back.

[@darylcumming7119]

Thank up for the upload.😊

[@SCOTFRE3]

TY for sharing :-)

[@user-vy4qh4px4f]

loved this! Pinning all his artworks I can find now haha

[@artistsmock]

Great documentary.

[@TrudyPatootie]

Excellent documentary. I really enjoyed it. Thank you. Very well done. I would have loved to have travelled with him. He saw it all.

[@shelley2he844]

Wonderful artist, so glad this documentary is up and I got to watch it. I have a new favourite artist to research at last. What a brilliant and interesting man he was.

[@faggod23]

Very Nice Documentary! Loved it!!! 100/100 Stars! Edward Burra is definitely one of my very best Artists out there!! Cheers :-)

[@corcaighrebel]

Very interesting documentary, thank you.

[@laconja1]

Great documentary never heard of Edward Burra before so glad found this video Thank You for posting The man was A Great Artist 👏👏👏

[@mycompasstv]

Great upload.

[@virginialoman]

Thanks for erasedculuture's channel's sharing.

[@gregdecker3518]

quite interesting. thank you.

[@ElliotFlowers]

This reminds me of 'The Magic Roundabout'....

[@planktoncorpus8051]

Great documentary!!!!

[@5wingerone]

Amazing!

[@NadiMich]

Thank you for posting this video.

[@Lindenstrassestudios]

Brilliant documentary about a very strange artist.

[@liamMCR]

Went to see an exhibition of his worktoday at the Djanogly Art Gallery in Nottingham, the first for 25 years apparently. It was superb. Thanks for uploading this!

[@1775Desmond]

Thank you for posting this video! Edward Burra was not only an amazing artist; but he was also a great writer. His art is a "visual" historical novel. He does "talk" to us; in his art. Thank you.

[@soleaguirre100]

.Edward Burra is brilliant! Thanks erasedculture for uploading this great documentary.

[@rossfischer6675]

this guy rules

[@sunburnramthem2373]

extraordinary

[@colinlatimer9501]

good introduction to this artist - Like his work

[@trapazoidalwindow]

I liked this program. Interesting introduction to Edward Burra, in my case. Thanks, erasedculuture's channel.

[@slothedog]

Enjoyed that

[@edruaneinkerry]

Interesting brilliant artist!

[@tomcinti6098]

always a fav

[@kevinlewis6051]

so good.

[@ScottHaley12]

Never heard of the guy...a really great artist. Thanks for the video.

[@dzadza7775]

He wasn't overlooked. Funny point of view to take.

[@barbaraclark249]

I love the later work from spanish civil war on and the late landscapes but i could not bear the endless talking of the narrator and his presumptuous interpretations he just went on and on with his ideas about the work unendurable less is more

[@philipjones369]

I can see at the begging of his life having the chances that money through his Father being a lawyer had given him, even though his disability brought to the chair. his first painting impressed me no end as the short time he had pencil in hand .I think his work is wonderful and tell's a story in all situation that he met throughout his travels .I believe that he is definitely one of our best and his hands were so painful, that must of been such a trial for him. Messages to all collectors of Edward Burra..For God sake ,Get his pictures out of stasis so our countrymen can see this wonderful work. and you Mr Cohen....

[@andytithesis5720]

.god damnable inspiration.

[@itsshrimpinabag9544]

So thankful for this commentary. If I had seen his art on surface-level I would have thought it was just shallow ugliness. But he's really a very sad guy. You've done such a good job of helping me understand him and awoken a compassion in me.

[@jorgemorillo482]

excelent!

[@any.moment.now.]

fantastic artist and a great doc. thanks for sharing it! and a question about the music: does anyone know what music it is that starts at about 1:55? and the piano music at about 3.50? thanks!

[@DrSylva22]

Another Beautiful-Passionate-Hearty-Flowery-Dancing narration from you Andrew... Thanks I am ashamed that I don't know about this handicaped painter Edward Burra which such brilliant feeling ... imagination ... I wonder why we know about Picasso and not him--- can you explain dear Andrew...?

[@titabell360]

Very interesting and conflicted

[@jackgalmitz]

The work is too powerful and belies his remark that nothing matters. Everything mattered to him and deeply.

[@michaelbiddle1959]

I always link him to Laurie Lee somehow, a young man in some amazing places in a very evocative time in history

[@stidumaron]

"A mis soledades voy, de mis soledades vengo" is actually by Lope de Vega (La Dorotea, 1632).

[@coreycox2345]

Una elección, alberto manzoli.

[@ElliotFlowers]

I have no idea what on earth you are talking about. Hence I like your style...

[@xxxuuulll]

A mis soledades voy, de mis soledades vengo, porque para andar conmigo me bastan mis pensamientos. Lope de Vega

[@frankfacts6207]

we heard about him and admire his work

[@mikeroos6624]

i love tihs artist

[@elisafinch1325]

A simple picture ,imagine to much ,show the paint ...thank you...

[@Billedmageren]

Nice univers.

[@af98]

I fell out of love with art and art history documentaries. I think because it was pretentious, everyone was saying the same thing and being a girl from class E (lower than working class) I knew it was close to impossible for me to survive on a art history degree. So I stopped watching anything related to art history. I slightly related to the this artist and I'm very envious of his life in his 20s, I wish I could just escape there. I thought it was going to be tough for me to find this video. I guess not.

[@salamander981]

Don`t let the pretentious arty types spoil it for you !! i love art and art history, i work on a building site and paint and study in my own spare time- it`s a great subject, just ignore the a***holes and you be fine...

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

There will always be the exception to the rule. And when these exceptions present themselves pay special attention, because useful advice, sometimes a mere line or quote can help you in your own life as an artist. Never too late many become artists in very late life. Buy a few brushes, some cheap paint, sit at the window and PAINT!

[@TheKurtis66]

Great doc, but I could not help laughing at the end where the host is driving in his car, he is crammed up into the driver's seat like my old mother. I guess he, the same as my old mom, has more control of the vehicle that way. HA

[@antonioraffa123]

Why have I never even heard of Edward Burra. After seeing his work in this video, it really doesn't make any sense.

[@CelticSaint]

Nice documentary. Is the presenter the long lost brother of Alan Partridge?

[@karenspooner1492]

Ahhhh haaaaaaaaaaa

[@nialldoherty875]

no this guy is stephen frys brother

[@Shingjanjie]

3:42 the story of my life.

[@coreycox2345]

Everyone's life. At least he knew that he would rather be painting.

[@LookDeeper]

Loved the insight of the artist but I cannot stand art critics. 'What I think he was trying to say...'

[@jmpsthrufyre]

Look Deeper they are a strange lot...and not usually in a good way. But some are Ok and bring to light what otherwise would go unnoticed.

[@adambrace5127]

often agree re critics and projection, but the feeling AGD has for the material and the person behind it is always worth listening to. + he doesn't use that phrase, what he's trying to say. making an art work is an act of non-liguistic communication. he is giving insight into what is being communicated, and I for one am glad of it.

[@johnk.lindgren5940]

kiitos

[@johnk.lindgren5940]

Artes Nec Plus Ultra - Kiitos

[@dawgbruh6973]

Barro was quite bizarre but an absolute genius...

[@321bytor]

Burra on the other hand...

[@CelticSaint]

11:50 - Pure Alan Partridge!!

[@josepinto2530]

A revelation!

[@juliearvaniti7336]

I can't believe those works are watercolors ! It's the most difficult medium for painters ! really special artist.

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

Where can I find the B+W documentary of Burra?

[@dadsonworldwide3238]

To be able to enrich yourself with life and pursue perfection in something you love on daddy's dime I sure wouldn't be a crude recluse as he was .his art is twisted comical but yet doesn't cross the line like many of the past century artisans work.

[@Marioaquiles89]

Guys, ¿What´s the name of the serie?

[@alphashanahan4323]

ha,ha,ha! Fantastic interpretations of his work ... but as he ssys, "they just make it up." He must be having a laugh (at last) as he listens to all these from wherever he is now. Rest in peace, Edward Burra.

[@keleniengaluafe2600]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👏👏

[@roxykattx]

A very interesting documentary. But it goes down the toilet when it starts talking about the Spanish Civil War. Check out George Orwell's Homage to Catalonia to see through the bourgeois obfuscation of the war's roots. Yes, of course war is horrible and insane. But such observations must not be used to obscure the injustice that is at its root: in this case, the drive of the church, the wealthy, and the fascists to disempower the Spanish workers and democracy.

[@jamesroach8841]

+Roxy Katt In revolutionary Spain, working people were anything but masochists. They were against the religious right, burned churches down with contempt, shot avowed theocrats, and hated the more sadistic among the rich, especially those who backed Franco. In the present day United States, working people are gluttons for punishment. They are for the religious right, enthusiastically pay to build churches, vote for avowed theocrats, and adore the more sadistic of the rich, especially those who seek political office. Thus did the Spanish eventually liberate themselves, and are Americans in the process of imprisoning themselves. In the UK, the trend echoes the American pattern and tendency, though they lag behind in the collapse of democratic culture and institutions. It is partly due to having read Homage to Catalonia that I can see this, and so I also recommend it.

[@WitoldBanasik]

Bingo !!!! Thank you ! You hit the mark. Cheers !

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Picasso was little earlier and more of a trendsetter; he influenced Burra.

[@frankfacts6207]

PJ everybody else, too

[@TheArtofEngineering]

Reminds me of Chagal

[@Auriflamme]

Gernika is the Basque spelling, I was being snobbish hehe, since it is a town in Euskal Herria (the Basque Country).

[@joehiggs100]

Many thanks. I love Edward Burrra's works, shame the presenter is such a prat . After twice over letting us know how reticent the painter is, he nearly comes over a picture towards the end.

[@aryehfinklestein9041]

This was my introduction to Burra's work - and what an absolutely brilliant job ( as always ) Andrew Graham-Dixon does. Thankyou to him, and to you for posting this program. I admit that I find the final landscapes to be the artist's most moving and poignant and haunting pieces.

[@windhunter7590]

my favorite painting is at 31:18

[@Road38910]

No loud, stupid, annoying, narration obliterating MUSIC........thank you.

[@justininfrance]

Fantastic artist, one of the very best of the twentieth-century. But here we see why Burra, (and I) detest art critics. No matter how much Graham-Dixon loves Burra he obviously loves himself far more, cramming himself onto the screen whenever possible and spouting speculative, self-aggrandising piffle.

[@bartelmk]

How could the Spanish people do this to themselves? This asinine question completely ignores the FACT that the bombers flying over the destroyed town were Nazi planes working for Franco. The Spanish people indeed.

[@QED_]

Don't understand the concept of a "civil war", do you (?)

[@elisafinch1325]

He say that ?...no he didn't say...

[@unbroken1010]

That first painting through the window. Very applicable in 2020. Defy all lies of all government.

[@Auriflamme]

Absolutely no need to apologise, since it's not very common knowledge.

[@margietalk]

35:51, 35:55, 40:25ish, 46:21, 46:27, 55:30

[@ibrahimelhaddad7272]

In Min 49:36 this friend of him is gorgeous.

[@karenspooner1492]

Ibrahim Elhaddad she probably a millionaire

[@unbroken1010]

I love burra. Gave Grosz a run for his money

[@BrianJMonahan]

.

[@nononononoyeahgood]

lol when french ppl are so impolite to foreigners you have to edit in a "merci" where it makes absolutely no sense just to make the scene work 1:10

[@jmpsthrufyre]

nononononoyeahgood Merci.

[@elisafinch1325]

Why speak what He mind paint...we can see ,not secrets..

[@sonnycorbi6406]

What matters, "Nothing", - Art matters Burra -

[@yap2]

Rothko

[@stevecox7075]

Perhaps you mean, 'Guernica'?

[@stevecox7075]

I'm sorry! Please forgive my ignorance :-)

[@gabriellebernard198]

Very much a lesser Otto Dix