The Burra Interview - ACE117.3

Burra laughs at the idea that people will improve themselves by looking at his pictures. Pressed by interviewer, he repeats that he doesn’t really like talking about art. Adds that papers sometimes write nonsense about him. But it doesn’t matter what people say. Nothing matters. Hardly ever hangs up his paintings. Used to leave them lying about and put them in cupboards. Now people buy them. Used to draw on both sides of the paper; one was framed so that it could be turned over. Two for one, a bargain. Says he’s sometimes misquoted but can’t think of examples. Why get angry with people? Doesn’t like formality such as having to hire a morning coat to go to Paris to receive a medal; didn’t go. Some artists like being asked about their work, but Burra thinks it’s bad to pry. Countryside has changed, particularly along main roads – too many gnomes and carriage lamps. Better in the North. Likes Yorkshire as it’s "nice and bare". Likes views of big arterial roads. Likes gangster pictures and films with Pola Negri and Gloria Swanson which he has seen again at the National Film Theatre. Does his own shopping. Likes Mexico and the United States. While he was there he’d drink, read books, visits people. Paints straight onto paper, though used to do drawings. Stayed with friends in Florence. Very crowded there. Did a painting of the Zona Industriale. Writes letters; likes getting some letters but not others. Has a old suitcase instead of a filing system. Doesn’t have a view on the rightness or wrongness of making films about people. It’s all right if people go to see them. Journalists usually get everything a teeny bit wrong. He never tells anybody anything so they just make it up. Doesn’t really matter. Doesn’t know if he will go to see his exhibition at the Tate. Has no serious friends – only thought of fashions and Vogue and going to the cinema.