steel
Oasis 64 and Opus Series are both sculptures by longtime Colorado Springs resident, educator, and artist Bill Burgess (1930 - 2017). With a catalog of work spanning 50+ years, Burgess is featured in public and private collections all around the state and nationally. During his lifetime, Bill Burgess worked with a variety of materials, but most often choosing metal. Spirals and curved surfaces serve as stylistic hallmarks for the artist. Bill Burgess is perhaps best known for his monumental public sculpture, Continuum (also known as the Julie Penrose fountain), located in “America the Beautiful Park” near downtown Colorado Springs.
Continuum shares similar DNA with Opus Series and Oasis 64. The Opus Series places an emphasis on form and materials, with Burgess’s signature spiral shapes present along with his attention to material choice. A square piece of metal loops in on itself in Opus, creating a circular gateway. His choice of rusted steel complements the surrounding landscape, standing in stark contrast to the silvery sheen of the Ent Center for the Arts building.
The bright orange Oasis64, carries a similar curvature to Opus with a linear element, as you can note by the branch-like structure stemming from the bottom and spiraling up into the center of the circle. It is said that Burgess enjoyed playing with opposing structures and elements in his art to show the contrast between, for example, softness and hardness, or straight and curved. His sculptures reference symbolic forms in nature and cultures.
Upon his passing in 2017, Bill Burgess’ family created the Bill Burgess Memorial Fund for Emerging Artists to carry on his legacy.
Listen to UCCS student, Brandon Kitazono, to learn more.
