Dennis Burton

Dennis Burton

Dennis Burton, painter (b at Lethbridge, Alta 6 Dec 1933). Burton achieved renown in 1965 for his "Garterbeltmania" - large paintings of women in garterbelts. He had become interested in drawing the nude and abstraction at the Ontario College of Art (1952-56) and was influenced by William RONALD's work.

In 1960 his images of genitalia first became obvious in Smokeshop Sex Marauder. With Joyce WIELAND and Michael SNOW, he represents a rigorous exploration of erotic themes in Canadian art. His paintings, figurative, abstract or "calligraphic," are full of dashing energy. In 1977 the Robert McLaughlin Gallery organized a retrospective exhibition of Burton's work that travelled across the country.