Bert Bergen Artist Statement

My work depicts the interrelation between humanity, nature and the divine.  The representations of these three entities are saturated with a symbolism that induces emotive states of being.  I create objects, installations and rituals that utilize this to gaze upon the meanings of mortality and the relation between living and inanimate objects in other planes of existence as well as this one.  The conceptual basis of my work is formed from an amalgamation of mystical, historical, personal, mythological and scientific information.  The influences of process on material, and the space or sphere with which my work will be experienced in greatly impact my creative process.

Bio

Bert Bergen (pronounced Bur-jen) was born on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound of Washington State.  Raised by atheist libertarians, rural activities such as hunting, football and working the land were at the forefront of family events. 
The late 80’s/early 90’s grunge and punk music scene of Seattle and Olympia Washington had a profound impact on Bert.  Attending various shows in his teens, he became exposed to a self-sufficient culture driven by art and music.  From these experiences Bert decided to attend The Evergreen State College and focus on photography and gender studies.
Once out of college he moved to San Francisco and applied the process oriented format of art making, that he learned while practicing photography, to his drawing.  This led to attending classes at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Graphics Department to study screen-printing.  Being in a touring band at the time, Bert had the constant assignment of screening posters for shows and tours as well as designing and printing compact discs and t-shirts.  This provided the opportunity to focus the thematic concepts as well as the technical skills of his art.
Bert has had solo exhibitions at The SFMOMA Garage Windows (San Francisco, CA), Adobe Books (San Francisco, CA), and The SFMOMA Artist’s Gallery (San Francisco, CA).  His work has been included in group exhibitions at ISE Cultural Foundation Gallery (New York, NY), Civilian Arts Project (Washington, DC), ArtScape (Baltimore, MD), and Southern Exposure (San Francisco, CA).  He has done residencies at Skylab Gallery (Columbus, OH) and Post Expose (Long Island City, NY). Publications that have featured his work include The Believer Magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle and Good Intentions.  He has been a guest lecturer at the Evergreen State College and has designed for bands including Big Business, Om and Six Organs of Admittance.