I began using words in my art in the early 1960's in Houston, Texas. I am still using and experimenting with words to this day.

Initially I felt I had to break down the barriers of making sense by just listing words taken at random from the dictionary and putting them on canvas and board sometimes by themselves, at other times with designed or familiar images in which the words were covered. The idea of taking the word out of context opened a new visual world for me. I continue to experiment with words, looking for and creating relationships between the form of the word and a variety of images.

Many of the pieces have specific references both verbal and visual. I often purposely use clichés and combine them with imagery from various sources (i.e. designs and photographs that are Xeroxed). The pictures and title combine to re-invent the cliché for the viewer. Over time and repeated readings unexpected connections and narratives are made.

To me making art is chancy and uncertain; but these are also essential ingredients for a determined innovative approach to art. This attitude led me to the technique of cutting words out of wood and creating word relief pictures as well as 3-dimensional word sculptures. Some of these pieces are covered in Xerox text or images while others are painted or I allowed the texture of the wood to help carry the idea of the piece.

Ideas can be re-used for a thousand variations supplying the framework for a whole body of work rather than just a single piece. I have tried to do work that is new and exciting. Using words in various ways is my primary interest and I hope to continue in this direction.

Link

www.bernierart.com

Press

Westword, Nov 2009

In Denver Times 2009

Denver Post 2009

Rocky Mountain News, 2007