The Burkholder Collection: A Journey Through Perception

Art is a conversation between the creator and the observer—a dance of perspective, emotion, and interpretation. The Burkholder Collection embodies this dialogue, tracing the transition of original works from the hands of artist Katie Fogg to the discerning eye of collector Dennis Burkholder. Rooted in Westerly, Rhode Island, this collection is more than just a curated selection of paintings; it is a testament to the evolving nature of perception, emotion, and artistic resonance.

From an early age, Burkholder found fascination in the creative process. One of his most vivid childhood memories is of Captain Kangaroo, where a simple unfinished drawing of a dog's head transformed before his eyes—first into something unexpected, then into something extraordinary. What began as disappointment turned into admiration, a moment that shaped his lifelong appreciation for artistic interpretation.

This openness to shifting perspectives carried into his interactions with his granddaughter, Aria, whose sponge paintings sparked another revelation. When Burkholder saw what he believed to be a submarine periscope, Aria insisted, with youthful conviction, "It's a lighthouse!" He smiled and reaffirmed a truth that has stayed with him: Art is in the eye of the beholder.

The Burkholder Collection is a deeply personal curation of Fogg’s work—women’s figurations intertwined with surreal, almost spectral forces. To some, these forms may evoke darkness, a glimpse of demonic entities, but to Burkholder, they symbolize transformation, the clearing of energies no longer needed. With a mind trained in engineering, where structure and logic reign, he finds himself drawn instead to the inexplicable—the pull of surrealism, the whispers of something beyond measurement.

Before analysis, there is feeling. Before understanding, there is instinct. The Burkholder Collection invites its viewers to embrace that first moment of perception—to let go, to see, and perhaps, to transform.

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