Nothing on top but a bucket and mop and an illustrated book about birds

"Nothing on top but a bucket and mop and an illustrated book about birds" is the first work in Burnham’s new series inspired by music lyrics that have had a lasting personal impact. The line originates from the song Plateau, written by the Meat Puppets in 1983 and famously covered by Nirvana. Drawn in by the lyric, Burnham researched the song’s origins and sought to discover what book might have inspired the reference. After sourcing a vintage bird book from England, he created an installation with a bucket, mop, and the book—photographing it to produce stencils and then painting with spray paint.

The plateau in the composition is constructed from a collage of actual book pages, bordered with 23k gold leaf. For Burnham, the lyric questions the endless pursuit of reaching the top or achieving specific goals, only to find fleeting fulfillment once they’re attained. The piece serves as a reminder to embrace the journey and remain present, rather than obsessing over the destination.