Debra Bernath is an interdisciplinary artist and designer whose creative practice is inspired by both plant and human anatomy. She began her career working with textiles, earning a BFA in Textile Design from East Carolina University in 1988, with a concentration in surface pattern, as well as sculptural, woven, and non-woven textiles. Following graduation, she apprenticed at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, assisting renowned artists with fabric-based artworks while also developing her own textile designs. In 1990, Bernath relocated to New York City to pursue a career in textile design, creating original work for notable fashion brands such as Liz Claiborne, Banana Republic, Gap, and J. Crew. Although her early portfolio did not originally feature floral motifs, she soon became recognized for her flower and botanical designs. After stepping away from the demands of the fashion industry, Bernath studied botanical illustration at the New York Botanical Garden, where she cultivated the skills and passion for botanical artwork that continue to shape her work today.
Artist Statement
Like a bee attracted by aroma to the center of a flower, I, too, am attracted to my subject, not by aroma, but by its texture, color, and negative space. A story begins to unfold. Relationships between shapes in my compositions reveal inner worlds. I am not only inspired by living nature, but the remains of lives lived. Seashells, bones, fallen leaves, sticks, and wilting flowers are just a few of the many memorials that inspire my imagination. I like to zoom in on my subjects and bring attention to the inner world of a flower, for instance. I photograph what strikes me. Often, my photos are stand-alone images that act as memory triggers for my future creations. I desire to create art with an intimate perspective that reveals the unnoticed and suggests a different point of view. Creativity fascinates me. Recently, I have been creating compositions from my figure drawings. Creating dreamlike compositions.
Exhibitions