My work is rooted in a lifelong respect for wildlife and the quiet presence found in nature. I’m drawn especially to birds, their strength, precision, and stillness and I try to capture that spirit rather than simply recreate surface detail.
Whether I’m carving stone or sculpting in bronze, I focus on form, gesture, and weight. I want each piece to feel timeless and honest, with texture and simplification that invites the viewer to slow down and look closer. The marks and surfaces are intentional, they reflect the raw beauty of the natural world and the hand of the maker.
Ultimately, I hope the work carries a sense of calm and reverence. These pieces are meant to live with you, to hold space in a room, to feel grounded, and to remind us of the wild places and animals that continue to inspire us.
Richard Burke is a Wyoming-based sculptor and painter known for his powerful wildlife work—most notably his bird sculptures in bronze and stone. Based in Douglas, Wyoming, Burke is a self-taught artist whose work reflects a deep respect for nature, form, and quiet strength. His sculptures are richly textured and intentionally simplified, capturing the spirit and presence of each subject rather than overworking detail.
Burke’s work has been recognized through competitive national juried exhibitions, including the renowned Birds in Art exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and the National Sculpture Society’s Annual Awards Exhibitions at Brookgreen Gardens. Whether working in bronze, stone, or paint, his pieces carry a timeless, grounded quality—designed to feel both refined and enduring in a home or collection.
• National Sculpture Society (NSS)
• Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum — Birds in Art (exhibiting artist)
• Southwest Art Magazine
2025
• National Sculpture Society – 92nd Annual Awards Exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens — Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
• Birds in Art 2025, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum — Wausau, Wisconsin
• ICONIC, Gallery Wild — Jackson Hole, Wyoming
• Of Sand and Stone (with Luke Anderson), Gallery Wild Santa Fe — Santa Fe, New Mexico
2024
• Birds in Art 2024, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum — Wausau, Wisconsin
2023
• Birds in Art 2023 Tour — traveling exhibition
2022
• Birds in Art 2022 Tour — traveling exhibition
2021
• National Sculpture Society – 91st Annual Awards Exhibition — Brookgreen Gardens (South Carolina) & Indianapolis Art Center (Indiana)
• Juror’s Choice Award — Numinous (Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition, Wyoming)
• Honorable Mention — Silent (Rocky Mountain Regional Juried Exhibition)
