Inspired by the graphic styles of comic books and the works of pop artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, Burton Morris has built a career around his stylized depictions of cultural icons. His oeuvre teems with bold iterations of Coca-Cola bottles, images of the Statue of Liberty and beloved food packaging designs, playfully rendered in bright colors. Morris received his bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 1988 and went on to a career in advertising, holding the position of art director for a company in Pittsburg where he created television and print ads. He was later commissioned to create his own works for brands such as Absolut Vodka, Heinz and Perrier, eventually establishing Burton Morris Studios in 1990. Four years later, he garnered widespread fame when one of the creators of the NBC sitcom, Friends, took notice of his “Big Hitter” image printed on a t-shirt worn by David Schwimmer. Throughout the ten-season run of the show, Morris’ works routinely appeared on the wall of the Central Perk Coffee shop, behind the famous orange couch where the cast convened every episode. Morris continued his success outside of the show with numerous international exhibitions and commissions for major events such as the 2004 Olympics, the 76th Annual Academy Awards and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
