Jon Burgerman - pens are my friends
Dave Bond
I first met Jon in the late 90's: a hairy, doe-eyed slender young lad of ambiguous sexuality, who had the space opposite mine in the Nottingham Trent Fine Art studios. It was a more innocent time: we had pagers instead of mobile phones, Tony Blair was well liked and most people didn't really see the point of the internet.
We bonded through a mutual love of superheroes, fey indie-pop and amusingly-shaped vegetables. Also I had a TV in my room in the halls of residence. Over the years we've grown, both figuratively and in trouser size, and yet we both still find jokes about willy inspectors funny.
The Dandle animation was made in 2003/04, based upon one of a strange little collection of poems and drawings that Jon had done late one hazy night. He was clearly in his 'big hair faze' just before the motorcycle accident and the inspired gibberish of the monologue was perhaps an insight into the troubled years and tragic decline that was to follow. It's always a shame for the world to lose such a great talent, especially one so young and tender as Jon Burgerman. I only hope that this book will serve to remind all those that forget of Jon's immense skill and dedication and inspire future generations of doodlers to pick up a Posca and follow in his slippers.
