Combustion 1961

This abstract composition was made by Alberto Burri, using burlap, paint and combustion. Burri was known for his unconventional approach, favoring everyday materials like burlap sacks, canvas scraps, and industrial elements. In "Combustion" he has scorched some of the material. The effect is a powerful, tactile surface that challenges traditional notions of painting. The rough texture of the burlap and the charred areas create a visceral experience for the viewer. Burri deliberately leaves the traces of his process visible, inviting us to consider the act of making and the labor involved. By transforming mundane materials into art, he elevates the overlooked and challenges distinctions between high art and craft. In his hands, the act of combustion becomes a means of artistic expression, imbuing the work with layers of meaning beyond the purely visual.