Tim Burton: Writer/Director/Producer/Animator/Puppeteer/Illustrator/Artist and much, much more. He is a big fan favourite in film thanks to work such as THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, CORPSE BRIDE, BATMAN, BATMAN BEGINS, BEETLEJUICE, MARS ATTACKS… the list goes on and on (we shall ignore PLANET OF THE APES for now!).
A pioneer in Gothic horror and fantasy, It’s fair to say his work is much-loved in nerd/geek circles. Now, in a major exhibition at London’s The Design Museum, Burton’s work is on display.
“Delve into the fantastical world of Tim Burton in this major exhibition exploring his remarkable creations and key collaborations with designers,” says the exhibition blurb – but that barely scratches the surface of what’s on store for visitors. Tim Burton is the creative force behind some of the most celebrated films of the last four decades, internationally recognised as a master of the comically grotesque and the endearingly misfit.
This major exhibition invites visitors into his world through an exploration of the design of his unique aesthetic. While most well-known for his cinematic work, this show displays the full extent of his production as an illustrator, painter, photographer and author, as well as exploring key collaborations with designers. As a multi-disciplinary artist, his creations extend beyond the limits of mediums and formats.
Drawn from Tim Burton’s personal archive and representing the artist’s creative output from childhood to the present day, this collection of drawings, paintings, photographs, sketchbooks, moving-image works, sculptural installations, set and costume design focuses on the recurrent visual themes and motifs found in the distinctive characters and worlds found in Burton’s art and films.
Being a huge fan of Burton’s work, I popped along to view the ideas that have seeped out of his Gothic and Fantasy mind through the years.
THE WORLD OF TIM BURTON runs at London’s Design Museum, through to 21st April 2025.
Gallery: The Tim Burton Exhibition, London (November 2024)
