ARTIST BIO

Born in Jamaica, Bernadette McKinley Matalon, Burni  moved to Florida in 1988, studied Fashion Design and started her own company, designing and manufacturing Corporate Apparel for the Caribbean. She returned to Jamaica in 2004 and eventually gave up her uniform business in 2006. Passionately creative and detail orientated, Burni is also afflicted with a tactile sensitivity and connects with her world, by lightly running her fingers over textures and forms which pleases her eye.

Craving a new creative outlet, her search took her to the Edna Manley School of Art where her talents combined with the molding of clay and she knew she had found the medium she sought. Later at Sanaa Studios, she continued her studies under Norma Harrack and also took classes with Philip Supersad, both  Jamaican Master Potters. Applying the use of pattern pieces and attention to detail in the construction of her Fashion designs, to her work with clay, she enjoys using slabs and coils to form the base for her ceramic designs. The details then flow as she uses various carving techniques , layers on textures, colours, and finishes to unearth an organic, three dimensional work of art.  Inspiration randomly occurs from the daily interaction with her environment as her work in ceramics has given her new vision, a vision where  light, colours, shapes and  perspectives, morphs into endless of possibilities, possibilities she now creates through touch.

With each day she is emerging and the journey begins...

Solo Exhibitions

"Emergence -the journey begins... ", 2014 - Gallery Barrington, Kingston, Jamaica

Exhibitions

"Five Leading Jamaican Artists" in aid of Hanover Charities 2016 - Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica. Also featuring Amy Laskin, P.J. Stewart, Els Meijns & Vicky Silvera.

Participant

The Collection MoDA - MoDA Market, 2015,  2016 - Kingston, Jamaica