How Travel Fuels Creativity: Paralympic Artist Gregory Burns On Finding Inspiration Around The World
Despite his several accolades—five Paralympic medals for the USA, five world records in swimming, and over 80 solo art exhibitions across 15 countries—Gregory Burns maintains a refreshingly humble demeanor that bursts with youthful enthusiasm. It's a quality that stands in sharp contrast to his lengthy list of achievements.
Perhaps the key lies in the life perspective of this 67-year-old athlete, painter, author, and motivational speaker. Despite contracting polio at a young age, leaving him paralysed from the waist down, he views this experience as a "source of heightened sensitivity." This resilience is evident throughout his life. By three, he was already in the water, swimming. By six, he began exploring his artistic side with painting lessons. His competitive spirit later flourished as a Paralympic swimmer, representing the USA and bringing home medals in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Games.
This past weekend, OT spent time with Burns during a Marriott Bonvoy wellness retreat at The Westin Goa. He spoke at length about his journey, passion for art, travel experiences, and the profound connection between the two. Excerpts from the interview here.
You've often mentioned "finding sanctuary and peace" through your art workshops globally. How has travel contributed to this sense of sanctuary?
Searching for sanctuary has been a continuous goal of mine, especially through travel. Travel takes us to beautiful places where we meet incredible people, see amazing sights, and experience cultural icons and relics. In doing so, we often spread ourselves thin. We venture into unknown territories, face stress, and get tired. This is all part of the journey. It's not a complaint but an honest assessment of what it takes to travel the globe and absorb the essence of everything the world offers.
When we get tired, finding sanctuary becomes important and valuable—places where we can regroup and reconnect with ourselves. We need to return to our centre and what's inside us. While we stretch our boundaries in the outer world, we must also nurture our inner world, the quiet, reflective, contemplative side of our being. Travel reminds us that while we burn a lot of energy exploring, we also need places to recharge for the next journey.
We are in Goa. What aspects of the city's culture, landscape, or history inspired you to incorporate them into your art?
Unfortunately, I haven't been in Goa long enough to fully absorb its culture. However, I've incorporated elements of the Goan culture I've experienced so far into a painting I created for the hotel. Also, although Goa is Catholic and Portuguese, I prefer to include Hindu imagery due to my personal views on the church's historical impact here.
Have you made any interesting artistic discoveries while travelling? Have you picked up any techniques, materials, or styles?
Much of my art has been influenced by travel. For instance, I've done a series on sacred sites around the world, trying to express the feeling of being in those places. I've also used handmade Indian paper from Udaipur for its lovely textures. Travel has definitely provided me with new ideas and materials.
Is there one place that has particularly inspired or changed you artistically?
Angkor Wat had a very strong connection for me. The spiritual aspects of the temples and their history resonated deeply, and I did some meaningful paintings there. It was emotionally fulfilling.
You mentioned the relationship between art and well-being and how it affects your mind, physical, and emotional self. How does your artistic process integrate with this wellness philosophy? How do you see art and wellness going together?
In a nutshell, my art is like meditation. I perform some rituals before I paint; as I paint, I concentrate, feel, and work into the painting. It opens up my heart and quiets my mind. It is like meditating, allowing me to be active yet quiet. I find it challenging to meditate just by sitting, but painting allows me to be active while quieting and re-energising. Painting, like swimming, is regenerative; it creates energy and builds up my internal turbine.
You started painting when you were five, then went into sports and won a gold at the Paralympics. Did your experiences in sports shape your artistic vision and approach to art? And did art influence your career in sports?
Not so much art affects sports, but sports affect my art. I have been doing both all my life, so they were always in tandem. The training in sports helped me persevere and get stronger in art. In both, you spend a lot of time training even though no one is watching. This perseverance translates into art as well. I also do a lot of sports art, and I recently did a big commission for the Olympics in 2020.
You mentioned the concept of biophilia, which emphasises a connection to nature and how it influences us. Do you think nature or the place you are in influences your work?
Absolutely, nature influences my work in all ways. Being in nature is a huge part of my meditative process, whether on a mountain, by the ocean, or sketching under the sea. Nature is conducive to a meditative state, and being at one with nature and my art is integral to my work.
You mentioned your program aims to empower participants through physical, mental, and artistic exercises. Have you had any memorable experiences with participants that you'd like to share?
Yes, I remember an eight-year-old girl from Kazakhstan in the Maldives who became my student for a week. She was very directed and lovely, and her enthusiasm was touching. I've met many interesting people through these programs, but she stands out.
Do you see a role for art in fostering communication and community engagement? How does it impact society as a whole?
Art can bring people together and create a sense of equality, removing hierarchies. While there are better and worse artists, art can be egalitarian. It's challenging to place the responsibility of community engagement on art, but it can bridge gaps and help people process emotions, as we've seen in art therapy with Ukrainian refugees. Art can potentially make a positive impact, even if it's a big ask.
You started painting at five and have evolved over the years. How has age impacted you as an artist?
With age comes experience. When you're young, you're full of ideas, some good and some not. As you age, you gain more layers of experience, and your art becomes more nuanced and balanced. It's more about internal focus rather than external flashiness. Age has made me more grounded and reflective in my art.
Can you share a memorable travel anecdote?
When I first came to India in 1985, I was travelling from Darjeeling to Delhi and wanted to go to Dharamsala. I had a ten-minute window to catch the next train. I argued with the conductor, who insisted I couldn't board without a ticket. As the train started to move, I heaved myself onto the steps, arguing all the way. Eventually, I got on and bought my ticket on the train.
Do you see any connection between art and food?
I think that the type of food you consume affects you, but I find too much food counterproductive to art. I prefer to eat light to let my spirit and emotions flow when creating. Too much food weakens my energy, so I try to eat lightly.
Looking back on your career, what legacy do you hope to leave through your art and wellness programs?
I hope the people we've touched through our art programs have taken something positive away. As an artist, I hope my work reflects a well-lived life in which I overcame challenges and made the most of what I had. I want to continue living my best life and inspire others to do the same.
Quick Takes
What's your favourite travel destination so far in the world?
I like France, but Tibet was very special to me because of its remote and spiritual nature, especially in 1985 before China's takeover.
What’s the one thing you never travel without?
My sketchbook
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If you could meet any artist, living or dead, who would it be?
Vincent van Gogh
What’s your favourite medium to work with?
Acrylics
What's next on your travel bucket list?
Antarctica
