Kelly Burns is a self-taught New York City–based artist whose physical and digital works exist somewhere between sculptural collage and stop-motion animation. Working with found objects and a warm sense of dark humor, his pieces are often assembled quickly and intentionally unrefined. His practice embraces imperfection, celebrating flaws as essential elements of both the work itself and the reality of a life devoted to making art.
His work explores ambition, isolation, and uncertainty, reflecting on the tension between the magical and the absurd in our brief time here.
In 2003, he self-published I NY – New York Street Art, a collection of photographs and graphic work that launched with a live collaborative installation at The New Museum. In 2021, he entered the Web3 art space, where much of his current practice and community now reside. He also creates ongoing collaborative projects and collections within the space.
His work has been exhibited at Momenta Art, White Columns, and New Museum in New York City, RGBMTL in Montreal, Canada, and starting September 5th 2026, Fantoche International Film Festival, Baden Switzerland.