BIOGRAPHY
Petra Bernstein is an American based artist, whose work ranges from paintings of flora and fauna to abstract interpretations of nature’s mystery. The German born multi disciplinary artist finds her inspiration in nature, where she captures intriguing reflections, patterns, colors and textures with her camera and translates them onto her canvas. After working on a representational painting style for many years, Bernstein developed a strong interest in creating more intuitive and abstract compositions. Her organic and geometric shapes are stacked, aligned and arranged in a way that evoke a sense of belonging and togetherness. Individual forms are fused together into tight connections that get repeated within the composition.
Petra also pursues close up and macro photography of botanicals and water reflection. She uses double exposure technique to incorporate her paintings into her photography.
CV
Bachelor of Science from the University of Regensburg, Germany
Bachelor of Fine Arts from Salisbury University
Member of the Maryland Federation of Art in Annapolis
Solo Exhibit at the Washington Printmakers Gallery in 2022
Solo Show at the Bishop’s Stock Art Gallery in Snow Hill, MD, 2022
Current Solo Show in the lobby of the Plaza One Office Building in Salisbury, MD
Nature and Beyond Solo Show at the Dorchester Center for the Arts in Cambridge, MD 2021
Art Expo New York 2019 and 2021
Publication of abstract photography in Artfolio 2021 and 2022.
Petra has participated in international exhibitions in London, Bologna, Madrid and Paris.
Bernstein’s artwork can be found in private collections and public places in America, Italy and Germany.
Award (among others)
Best in Show at the National Juried Exhibit at the Art Institute and Gallery in Salisbury, MD, 2009
Judges Choice Award in the “Small Works” Exhibit at the Salisbury Art Space in Salisbury, MD, 2016
Best in Show at the “Luminosity” Group Exhibit in Salisbury, MD 2020
Honorable Mention in “Driven to Abstraction” Exhibit, 2021
Honorable Mention in “Patterns” Exhibit at the Art League in OC, MD, 2021
Honorable Mention at the Maryland Federation of Art Circle Gallery in Annapolis, MD, 2022
STATEMENT
My desire is to create something that is unique to me and free from boundaries.
Reality, imagination and abstraction all co-exist and need no explanation.
The unexplained is far more intriguing, as it resides beyond the picture plane.
