
San Diego's art scene is about to witness the grand return of Robert Xavier Burden's "The Alien Painting," which has taken five years to complete. As revealed in a social media post by Robert Xavier Burden, the journey of this piece has spanned three art studios, two storage units, and numerous exhibitions, clocking in between 3300 and 3600 hours of meticulous labor to bring to life nearly 200 toys-themed around extraterrestrial existence, with a central Earth resembling the '90s Universal Pictures title screen sandwiched amidst a 17th century Mughal Quran Manuscript-inspired motif.
In a special pop-up at Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) from February 11-23, enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to view "The Alien Painting" before it transitions into the hands of a private collector. On February 14, attendees drawn by an unparalleled depiction of a 96"x144" oil on canvas marvel can visit a public reception, according to FOX5 San Diego. Limited edition prints, narrowed down to an issue of 100, are currently up for grabs for those captivated by Burden's work.
Also featured at the OMA exhibition is "The Lagomorph Painting," Burden's latest piece completed in his San Diego studio post-residency. Both pieces are emblematic of his attention to detail, with the latter being a compilation of nearly 100 rabbit, hare, and pika portrayals, inviting attendees to immerse themselves in the natural world through Burden's artistic lens. The display of both artworks offers a singular juxtaposition of themes, from the fantastical vastness of extraterrestrial beings to the meticulous representation of earthly fauna.