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

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

I speculate that his reticence to tell anyone about himself is, atleast, partially due to a realiztion how our words are so rarely understood, or, atleast, not completely understood. No matter how eloquent one may write, or speak, it is not the same as the thoughts, the emotions that are behind the expressed words.

[@judiburnett6527]

I know! The video itself was more eloquent than the narrative.

[@Automobiliana]

The older I get the more I gravitate towards this realization.

[@killyGHILLIE]

well said

[@kaczynski2333]

He started from the position of being disabled; far more likely he was shy and introverted,

[@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.

[@judiburnett6527]

I am an artist and I had never heard of this artist before today. I am so grateful for all this information. I feel I understand a bit more of the narrative of his paintings than what was said. I found it interesting that often there was no difference between his painting and the images of the places filmed. The actual theatre looked exactly like a 1930’s stylized image. I loved this video. Thanks

[@keatsgipsy9991]

- I also, Wonderful to discover these marvellous sites & Artist

[@louisesuth8141]

No idea how You Tube found this for my feed, but so enjoyed it, his life could almost have been a William Boyd character. Its one of those times when understanding the man behind the art gives you a much greater appreciation of it. those transparent beet pickers. . wow

[@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.

[@geraldosa4051]

This is a masterpiece of a documentary! ❤

[@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 :)

[@dolinaj1]

Thank for such a big reveal of this charming and brilliant man and artist. Reticence is a gift to us all.

[@Reena-may]

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.

[@rickyblackburn-n9e]

Never heard of the guy before. An incredible talent. Thanks for the introduction.

[@judithryan783]

Best intro to an artist’s work & life So grateful

[@StorieGrubb]

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

[@andrewnelson3681]

What a superb documentary. Thank you.

[@JDunn-h5i]

You might guess at which point I had to pause this excellent documentary. Tears were flowing too quickly to see through them. I'm not sure whether I've ever seen a film that has moved me so profoundly. Thank you for your thoughtful, respectful, and never over-speculating take on the perspective of an artist of whom I, as you postulated at the beginning, had never heard, but whom I will, because of you, never forget for all the days of my life. Beautiful work. The most poetic words to express my gratitude would be flatly inadequate. Just... Thank you. 🎉

[@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.

[@christinagiannaros9817]

I agree and as someone with a chronic condition I really felt his work with that extra dimension of being outside observing and also the connection to nature, it comes so much closer when you have been left with so little.

[@wai-q2k]

I cannot begin to say how much I enjoyed this film. Wow. Thank you for uploading this most inspiring, profound, informative, insightful and fascinating documentary of a great man and artist. Andrew Graham-Dixon definitely knows his subject well. I intend to watch this again.

[@c.caub5315]

What an original artist….so thankful you posted this, really amazed

[@wry6read]

"un-English exuberance" - memorable phrase. Worthwhile profile of this interesting artist

[@deelynn8611]

I wish he could have known great success and fame in his lifetime. A horrible, severely painful disease. Every joint and cartilege in your body hurts. Unable to move at its worst. Even today, the meds are hit and miss. When you are in that kind of pain, nothing does matter except that pain. And a way to distract yourself from it. i'm so glad he had his painting to somewhat do so. To love life in what disease, is to know wishing for a long life means more pain. And yet, being willing to accept that pain because of the beautiful gift of life.

[@FrancoisMouton-iu7jt]

One of the great artists of the 20th century.

[@yiannisteward]

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

[@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...

[@valerieeaton6714]

Love Burra’s work. I was lucky to see an exhibition of his paintings in Chichester, UK a few years ago. I particularly loved his use of colour and the vibrancy of his paintings, especially his work in Harlem, France and Spain. Thank you for posting this, really enjoyed it.

[@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.

[@lancelotdufrane]

Deeply sensitive man. Beautiful work.

[@keatsgipsy9991]

Wonderful documentary of a very interesting and talented Artist

[@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.

[@laidman2007]

Superb video. Thank you.

[@antonioraffa123]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@tubepainter]

Excellent! enjoyed each moment. Thank you.

[@relaxingone578]

When he says nothing matters I interpret that as his life experiences helping him see truth in all its ugly and beautiful forms and integrate his soul into his personhood via those experiences, how can that be explained in words? So when asked what matters he says nothing matters, no thing matters, so meaningful. Thanks for the excellent video of a genius artist.

[@soleaguirre100]

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

[@luciollelsa]

Excellent documentary, his painting are quite a testament to the time period and horrific visions of wars. I'd definitely would love to see an exhibit of hi very evocative paintings.

[@pki4]

Wonderful. Thanks so much for uploading this documentary

[@og1kanobi40]

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

[@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.

[@goodboybuddy1]

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

[@laconja1]

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

[@jimblefrimble6251]

Brilliant documentary!

[@user-vy4qh4px4f]

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

[@Lindenstrassestudios]

Brilliant documentary about a very strange artist.

[@artistsmock]

Great documentary.

[@planktoncorpus8051]

Great documentary!!!!

[@mycompasstv]

Great upload.

[@NadiMich]

Thank you for posting this video.

[@trapazoidalwindow]

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

[@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!

[@deceptivepanther]

Excellent.

[@darylcumming7119]

Thank up for the upload.😊

[@5wingerone]

Amazing!

[@jackgalmitz]

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

[@virginialoman]

Thanks for erasedculuture's channel's sharing.

[@cutechiangels]

Great documentary about such an underrated artist. Thanks a lot!👌 How watercolour can be so deep and intriguing, through his technique and rendering depicts how he felt deep inside. Bravo. 🙏🌟 It would've been interesting though, as an artist myself, to know if he made money with his art, at the time? He did come from a wealthy family. Did he get help from them? He travelled extensively, and at that time, that was something! Very interested to know more! Maybe you could make an update? Thanks!

[@connoroleary591]

Yes, he came from a wealthy and educated British family.

[@royeastland-drawing5505]

Fantastic!

[@corcaighrebel]

Very interesting documentary, thank you.

[@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

[@ScottHaley12]

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

[@Rndmflw]

Those landscapes .. wow.

[@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...?

[@edruaneinkerry]

Interesting brilliant artist!

[@ElliotFlowers]

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

[@gregdecker3518]

quite interesting. thank you.

[@colinlatimer9501]

good introduction to this artist - Like his work

[@rossfischer6675]

this guy rules

[@SCOTFRE3]

TY for sharing :-)

[@tomcinti6098]

always a fav

[@sunburnramthem2373]

extraordinary

[@SECTOMANIA]

Thankyou 💕

[@titabell360]

Very interesting and conflicted

[@slothedog]

Enjoyed that

[@andytithesis5720]

.god damnable inspiration.

[@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....

[@dolinaj1]

The underpinning of his career was that is father was not merely a lawyer, but a successful lawyer.

[@petersolomon5227]

A finely judged and informative documentary from Andrew Graham-Dixon.

[@kevinlewis6051]

so good.

[@evasdottr]

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!

[@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...

[@pincha2024]

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

[@michaelbiddle1959]

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

[@CelticSaint]

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

[@karenspooner1492]

Ahhhh haaaaaaaaaaa

[@nialldoherty875]

no this guy is stephen frys brother

[@pr5pr]

great

[@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

[@juliearvaniti7336]

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

[@JackKlumpass]

Amazing that he produced what he did with that level of physical disability. I usually like this presenter’s observations, but his projections on this episode got right on my tits.

[@frankfacts6207]

we heard about him and admire his work

[@biancaturner725]

I'm watching this on 22. of October 🎉

[@elisafinch1325]

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

[@Billedmageren]

Nice univers.

[@jorgemorillo482]

excelent!

[@laotseu2003]

Après toutes ces peintures sombres à l'Otto dix je suis heureux pour lui qu'il termine avec ses paysage proche de l'abstrait.

[@caroledrury1411]

Great documentary. If you want to cover someone else who was also an enigma google Harold Arthur Drury. He was my father with over 1200 works

[@dzadza7775]

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

[@thebagelsproductions]

I've never heard of him, was he famous in his own day?

[@dzadza7775]

Perhaps I should have said that he wasn't completely overlooked. His work was included in the' 1930s 'exhibition in London curated by William Feaver. Of course it's reasonable to say that he was not a BIG NAME as it were! Great paintings anyway..Hope that clarifies my point of view. Always grateful for these videos.

[@Shingjanjie]

3:42 the story of my life.

[@coreycox2345]

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

[@mikeroos6624]

i love tihs artist

[@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.

[@dawgbruh6973]

Barro was quite bizarre but an absolute genius...

[@321bytor]

Burra on the other hand...

[@CelticSaint]

11:50 - Pure Alan Partridge!!

[@sirromtrebor]

Steve Coogan is quite the art fundi...

[@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!

[@LilyGazou]

Working class here. I make art with what comes to hand because I can’t afford the other supplies. Found and Ground is a book about using what is near us. I reviewed it if you search “1foraging for art supplies from the earth”