Artists of all genres are often renowned for their dedication to not only expressing their creativity but also sharing their voice and calling attention to issues they are passionate about.
Diane Burko is no exception.
Known globally for her work in painting, photography, and time-based media, Diane describes herself as a “research-based artist at the intersection of art, science, and the environment.” A focal point of her work is considering the marks that human conversations make on the landscape.
After focusing for several decades on monumental geological formations and waterways through landscape painting, she has shifted in the past 20 years to analyze the impact of industrial and colonial activity on those same landscapes.
All of the beliefs she holds around art, the environment and the place humans hold in the world shaped her desire to be a 2025 Free Speech Award judge.
“Free Speech is what we believe in in America. It’s in our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence,” she said. “I pride myself on being a citizen and I pride myself on saying what I think.”
