Tim Burke - Outsider artist in Detroit, Michigan
Tim Burke used to work at a studio house at 3647 Heidelberg Street. He was sort of part of the Heidelberg Project (the work of another Detroit artist, Tyree Guyton). He spent 18 years across the street (and in the shadow of) Tyree and his rambling art project.
Tyree got most of the attention and eventually Tim became disillusioned with the whole thing. He painted "not part of the Heidelberg Project" on his studio.
Then, recently, he sold the house and moved on.
He once moved 10 tons of granite from the old art institute building (you can see some of them in his outdoor art).
The process of giving old materials new life is a labor of love for him. "Recycling has social, psychological and spiritual dimensions that keep me coming back for more" Tim explained. His father was abusive when he was drunk and Tim had alcoholic and drug issues during part of his life. He recovered and feels the making of art from found objects is part of the healing.
One of his female creations is made solely of scraps from the implosion of Hudson's department store in Detroit. His art is part of his therapy. Tim Burke is part of Detroit and part of Detroit's history.