Christopher Burkett was born in 1951 and was reared
in the Pacific Northwest. In 1975, while he was a brother in a Christian
order, he became interested in photography as a means of expressing
the grace, light and beauty he saw present in the world of nature.
Over the next twenty years, he gradually perfected his craft so photography
could be the means through which he could express his innermost feelings
and inspiration. Today he works almost exclusively with color 8 x
10" transparencies.
In 1979, Burkett left the brotherhood to pursue
photography and married his wife, Ruth. He learned the offset printing
process and ran four-color printing presses and laser scanners to
create detailed color separations. These years of experience in the
printing trade helped develop his fine discernment of color and gave
him a deep understanding of the principles of color and tone reproduction.
Today Burkett travels extensively throughout the
United States to photograph. His masterful printing and numerous exhibitions
rapidly brought him international acclaim. His photographs are featured
in many public and private fine art collections. Burkett also has
taught several workshops sponsored through the Friends of Photography
and Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
Burkett is a recognized national expert in printing
Cibachrome (Ilfochrome), by virtue of his use of sophisticated and
unique masking techniques. He meticulously hand prints his 8 x 10"
transparencies to 20 x 24", 30 x 40", and 40 x 50",
with impressive sharpness and rich tonality. All images are archivally
overmatted, signed and numbered by the artist.