Draft:Lewis G. Burton

Lewis G. Burton
BornAugust 16
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Artist, Activist, DJ
Years active2011–present
Known forLGBTQ+ activism, INFERNO

Lewis G. Burton (b. 16th August) is a British artist, DJ, musician, actvist and cultural producer. Burton is known for their work with London Trans+ Pride and founding INFERNO one of London's first LGBTQ+ rave nights.

Early Life and Education

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Lewis G. Burton was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, and grew up in a working-class, ex-mining village on the city’s outskirts. Burton's early artistic influences were shaped by Leigh Bowery and Grace Jones. Their formal education in Fine Art contributed to their career in London's underground LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, where Burton has been a figurehead since 2011.[1]

Career

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DJ Career

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Lewis G. Burton is a prominent figure in the UK’s underground club scene, known for their boundary-pushing DJ sets and experimental approach to music. They have performed at numerous clubs and festivals, including Body Movements, Down The Rabbit Hole, and Printworks. Burton's DJ style blends genres like techno, industrial, and hard dance with hard edits of pop music.

They are also the co-founder of INFERNO, an inclusive LGBTQ+ club night in London, which has become a hub for queer expression, performance art, and experimental music. INFERNO has hosted events that challenge heteronormative clubbing culture and provides a safe space for queer individuals and performers to showcase their work.[2]

Artistic Work

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In addition to DJing, Burton is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores themes of gender, identity, and queerness. Their performances have been featured in exhibitions at the Institute of Contemporary Art, V&A, and Tate Modern. Burton's work often incorporates multimedia elements, blurring the lines between performance, installation, and activism.

A notable project was their performance piece "FLESH," in collaboration with Victor Ivanov, which went viral.[3] This was Burton’s final major project at university. In December 2022 they debuted their first feature length performance piece TRANSPHORIA selling out the ICA in London. Burton’s visual art and performance pieces frequently draw attention to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals, with a focus on trans+ experiences.[4]

Activism

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As a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Burton’s activism is deeply tied to their creative work. Through their involvement in the London queer scene, they have spearheaded initiatives that bring visibility to trans+ and non-binary individuals, particularly in nightlife and artistic spaces. INFERNO has not only been a club night but also a platform for queer and trans+ activism, promoting diversity and inclusivity in the arts.

In response to rising bigotry and hate crimes against transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender-non-conforming people, Burton has been volunteering at London Trans+ Pride since its inception in 2019. They have used their public platform to call for greater protections for marginalized individuals, particularly trans+ people, within both the creative industries and society at large.[5]

Notable Projects and Collaborations

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  • INFERNO: Burton’s most significant project to date, INFERNO has transformed London’s queer nightlife scene and is one of London's first LGBTQ+ techno club nights. They have worked with performers, DJs, and artists such as Taahliah, VTSS, Schacke, Samantha Togni, and Wax Wings to create a unique and inclusive space.
  • Collaborations with Artists: Burton has collaborated with notable figures in the contemporary art world, including Matieres Fecales. Their projects have addressed key issues around identity and beauty.[6]

Impact and Recognition

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Burton's contributions to both the arts and LGBTQ+ activism have earned them recognition within the creative community. They have been featured in publications such as Dazed, i-D, Frieze, and British Vogue for their innovative work blending music, art, and activism. Burton, alongside the rest of the London Trans+ Pride team, won the Future Fighters award from Gay Times in 2022.

Their work has had a profound impact on London’s underground scene, particularly for queer and trans+ communities. INFERNO has been hailed as a groundbreaking event in fostering inclusivity and creative freedom for marginalized performers and artists.

Discography and Performances

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  • DJ Sets: Burton has recorded mixes for Boiler Room and a livestream for HÖR.
  • Exhibitions and Performances: Their art has been exhibited in ICA, V&A, ArtHouse Jersey & Gravity Art Space, Manila.
  • Collaborations: They have collaborated with musicians and artists such as Louisahhh!!!, Jasmine Infiniti & Fecal Matter. They have worked with brands such as Mubi, Adidas & more.

Personal Life

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Burton is intersex and identifies as a trans+ individual. They are deeply involved in advocacy for the trans and non-binary community. They have spoken about their experiences navigating the creative industries as a trans+ person in interviews with The Skinny.[7]

References

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