grazerkunstverein

(Exhibition)

Paul

Tom Burr

20/09 - 23/11/2025, opening 19/09, 18:00

In Paul, Tom Burr works with Pier Paolo Pasolini’s unrealized film on the life of Saint Paul—a script drafted in 1966 that reimagines the apostle not in robes and desert dust, but in a trench coat and city streets, striding through the hard geometries of Paris, Rome, Geneva, and New York. Pasolini’s Paul is a man undone by light, revelation, and the unbearable weight of seeing too much, too clearly. Burr takes up this figure—not as saint, but as a fault line of unrest and longing, of vision turning against itself. He recasts Paul’s infamous blinding on the road to Damascus as something different from divine revelation: a violent unfastening—from certainty, from state-sanctioned belief, from the straight lines of power. Echoing the film’s unfinished state, Paul embraces incompletion as a generative method for pushing inherited fragments and unresolved ideas into motion. The exhibition inhabits the unfinished: a form that rehearses other forms, carried forward into subsequent iterations, arrangements, and contexts. Throughout its making, Burr will develop a publication in collaboration with the exhibition’s curator, Tom Engels, extending the exhibition beyond its present iteration and preparing its next lives—further mutations of Paul that will morph with each new staging. In this unravelling, Paul becomes a fractured mirror, a lingering disobedience, where to be struck down is also, somehow, to begin again.

TOM BURR (b. 1963, New Haven) is an artist whose oeuvre includes sculpture, collage, photography, and writing. Drawing directly from the formal languages of Minimalism and Conceptual Art, and responding to the political commitments of feminist art and institutional critique, Burr interlaces autobiographical references—particularly around queerness and public space—into his installations. His work persistently interrogates how bodies navigate place, desire, and control, exposing the tension between visibility and invisibility as both a personal and political condition.

He has presented solo exhibitions at institutions such as FRAC Champagne-Ardenne (Reims), Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart, Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts (Lausanne), SCAD Museum of Art (Savannah), Secession (Vienna), Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (Hartford), and the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York), among others. Burr’s work has also been featured in prominent international group exhibitions, including the Skulptur Projekte Münster (Germany), the Istanbul Biennial, and the Whitney Biennial (New York).

His work is held in major public collections worldwide, including mumok (Vienna), Hamburger Kunsthalle (Hamburg), the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York City), the Ludwig Museum (Cologne), the Hammer Museum (Los Angeles), the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the New York Public Library.

His writing has been featured in several publications, including the monographs Tom Burr, Extrospective: Works 1994–2006 and Anthology: Writings, 1991–2015, both edited by Florence Derieux. Most recently, a publication on the Torrington Project—Burr’s re-purposing of a 19th-century factory in Torrington, Connecticut, into an installation-studio-exhibition space from 2021 to 2024—was published by Primary Information (New York) in August 2025.

Burr lives and works in New York and Connecticut.

A cooperation with steirischer herbst ’25

01Tom Burr, 2025. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Neu, Berlin
02Tom Burr, Red Box One (Frank), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
03Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
04Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
05Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
06Tom Burr, Red Box One (Frank), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
07Tom Burr, Red Box One (Frank), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
08Tom Burr, Red Box Two (Filter), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
09Tom Burr, Red Box Two (Filter), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
10Tom Burr, Red Box Three (Me), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
11Tom Burr, Red Box Three (Me), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
12Tom Burr, Red Box Four (Club), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
13Tom Burr, Red Box Four (Club), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
14Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
15Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
16Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
17Tom Burr, Screenplay (Gold), 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
18Tom Burr, Screenplay (Gold), 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
19Tom Burr, Screenplay (Gold), detail, 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
20Tom Burr, Screenplay (Gold), detail, 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
21Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
22Tom Burr, Yellowed (Five Boxes), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
23Tom Burr, Yellowed (Five Boxes), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
24Tom Burr, Yellowed (Five Boxes), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
25Tom Burr, Yellowed (Five Boxes), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
26Tom Burr, Yellowed (Five Boxes), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
27Tom Burr, Yellowed (Five Boxes), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
28Tom Burr, Yellowed (Five Boxes), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
29Tom Burr, Yellowed (Five Boxes), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
30Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
31Tom Burr, Single Sand Box, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
32Tom Burr, Single Sand Box, detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
33Tom Burr, Grey Box Two (Pair of Past Bars), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
34Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
35Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
36Tom Burr, Grey Box Two (Pair of Past Bars), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
37Tom Burr, Grey Box One (Pair of Shoulder Pads), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
38Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
39Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
40Tom Burr, Grey Box Three (Four Black Rubber Coasters), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
41Tom Burr, Grey Box Four (Partial Paper Filter), 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
42Tom Burr, Grey Box Four (Partial Paper Filter), detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
43Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
44Tom Burr, Screenplay (Anthracite/Austria), 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
45Tom Burr, Paul, installation view, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
46Tom Burr, Blind Screen, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
47Tom Burr, Blind Screen, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
48Tom Burr, Blind Screen, detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
49Tom Burr, Blind Screen, detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
50Tom Burr, Blind Screen, detail, 2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
51Tom Burr, Screenplay (Anthracite/Austria), 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
52Tom Burr, Screenplay (Anthracite/Austria), detail, 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
53Tom Burr, Screenplay (Anthracite/Austria), detail, 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com
54Tom Burr, Screenplay (Anthracite/Austria), detail, 2020/2025. Tom Burr, Paul, Grazer Kunstverein, 2025. Courtesy of the artist; Galerie Neu, Berlin; and Grazer Kunstverein. Photo: kunst-dokumentation.com