Like a clamp, Richard Lee, born Richard Burney


Like a clamp, Richard Lee, born Richard Burney, had his arms affixed to his chest in such a way that they were not functional except for the use of his fingers. Richard Burney was born on February 9, 1959, in the charming city of Hartford, Connecticut. From the very start, Burney faced the challenges of life with a developmental disability. In 1968, at a young age, he was institutionalized at New Britain Memorial Hospital. Despite this, he had the opportunity to participate in an arts and crafts hospital class that he attended for an impressive 11 years. Additionally, he went on to enroll in Slade Junior High School and eventually graduated from New Britain Senior High School with a sense of accomplishment. During the summer months, Burney would enjoy camping at Harkness in Waterford, Connecticut, where he could embrace nature and camaraderie. Notably, he was also a member of the hospital's soccer and track teams, showcasing his athletic abilities. The hospital itself fostered an environment where unique minds and creativity flourished. In fact, many patients there were exceptional poets, talented musicians, skilled martial artists, innovative builders, and deep-thinking philosophers. Within this fervent creative atmosphere, Burney found inspiration, which led him to learn about the legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe. 

Determined and resourceful, he used his legs and chin to deftly arrange the canvas, paints, water, and paint brushes around him. He would bite down on the handle of a brush, skillfully maneuvering his neck to dip the tip of the brush into a desired paint color. With great effort, he would move his neck and head up, down, left, and right to create lovely strokes on the canvas, laboriously working for hours, days, and even months on end. A roommate documented his intricate procedure on March 31, 1976, and it remains a closely guarded trade secret to this day.

Richard Lee’s journey was marked by loneliness and anger. He started smoking at just nine years old and had a complicated relationship with life, loving activities such as sex, football, basketball, swearing, and war. Sadly, he succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 48. Nonetheless, his innovative abstract art method lives on, providing inspiration to many and ensuring his legacy endures through the creations of others.



 

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