A celebration of the life of Burri, also known as Kenneth Gordon Jerome, will be held at the Nimbin Bush Theatre this Saturday at 2pm.
Described as a ‘remarkable man of culture,’ Burri passed away at home on 21 April.
He was a popular figure in Nimbin, and prior to that Byron Bay, although he was born in Macksville on 8 June, 1953 and raised in Ngaku/Dunghutti country.
Burri was the son of Gloria Donohue (Biripi/Dunghutti) and Paddy Jerome (Wakka Wakka).
He graduated from the National Art School, Sydney, and later moved to the Tweed Valley where he taught life drawing classes in Nimbin.
His work has been exhibited in many group exhibitions, including ‘Aquarius 08’ at Lismore Regional Gallery (2008) and exhibitions at Radio Redfern in Sydney, at the Grafton Regional Gallery, at the Sydney Opera House (1980), in Alice Springs, Byron Bay, Brisbane and in San Francisco (1991).
His murals can be found throughout Nimbin and his works have been sold in Australia and internationally.
His work Morning Moon won the ‘National Parks and Wildlife Service Bundjalung Art Prize’ in 2005 and he won the ‘Kempsey Show Art Prize’ in 1982.
As well as being an artist, Burri was also an accomplished musician, and those attending the celebration on Saturday have been urged to bring instruments.
Anyone with artwork by Burri is also urged to bring it along for the service.
A private cremation service will be held prior to the 2pm celebration of his life.
Burri was brother to Patricia, Ella, Alison, Eileen, Lesley, Kim (dec), Ursula, Lawrence, Gloria, Robert (dec), Anita, Adrian and Mark.
Father of Glenn, Jai, Liona (dec), Fuchsia, Munim, Mereki, Durrebar, Leilah (dec), Jali and Erin.
Grandfather to Jessica, Toby, Scott, Tenayah, Max, Allirah, Hunter, Malakai, Jett, Isaiah, Aaliyah, Alex, Kora, Noah, Indiya, Nina, Dreyden, Rose and Django.
Great Grandfather to Chayden, Zara, Samuel and Curtis.
So sad to see a great artist to move to the Spirit world Hope he lives on in dream time