Rebecca Bernau’s art is a window into the unseen layers of identity, memory, and personal history. Through a delicate balance of digital and analog techniques, her works explore the complexities of what makes us who we are, inviting viewers to delve into their own subconscious experiences.

In this interview, Bernau opens up about the personal influences behind her work, her creative process, and the deeper philosophies that guide her exploration of identity and connection.

Online Exhibition: Unthought known

Early Foundations: From Graphic Design to Fine Art

At artist’s arterie

Born into an artistic environment, Bernau was immersed in the world of art from a young age, thanks to her mother, an artist herself. "Surrounded by colors, canvases, and her works, I felt a compelling urge to engage with art. I began to paint myself without knowing any borders or rules" Bernau recalls. Yet, despite her passion, the challenges her mother faced in balancing art and family life left Bernau with doubts about pursuing a career in the fine arts.

Seeking stability, she initially chose to study graphic design, but it wasn’t long before she realized that teaching design lacked the creative independence she craved. After years of working as a freelance designer, a pivotal moment arrived when a hotel in Austria commissioned her to create printed wall art. "This collaboration reignited my artistic drive," she says, "and when I held my first exhibition nearby, my long-held desire for analogue colors, brushstrokes, and artistic craftsmanship surged back to life."

The Duality of Process: Where Digital Meets Analog

Unthought known: Rebecca Bernau & Hitomi Endo dual exhibition / Whitestone Ginza New Gallery

Bernau’s work seamlessly blends digital and traditional techniques, creating a unique artistic process that mirrors her philosophical approach to life’s complexities. "I begin each piece digitally, where I can experiment freely, exploring brushes, colors, and forms with no limitations. This flexibility allows me to fully develop the concept before transitioning to traditional mediums" she explains.

Once the digital sketch is complete, Bernau prints the design onto canvas or paper and begins the transformation with layers of acrylics and oils applied by hand. "The real magic happens when I start layering... These layers add texture, depth, and emotion to the piece that simply cannot be replicated digitally. Each brushstroke gives the work a sense of warmth and humanity."

For Bernau, this duality of digital and analog is essential—it reflects the balance between the tangible and intangible aspects of human experience. "By blending these methods, I’m able to convey the layered complexity of human experience, which is central to my themes of connection, identity, and rootedness."

Exploring Roots, Identity, and Belonging

At artist’s arterie

At the heart of Bernau’s work lies the theme of “roots.” As an adopted child, she has spent much of her life contemplating identity and the idea of belonging. "The concept of ‘roots’ is central to my work, informed by my personal journey" she shares. Through her abstract compositions, Bernau uses layers to represent the interplay between the past and the self. "I use earthy, grounding tones to symbolize stability and growth, while fluid forms represent the ongoing process of self-discovery."

Bernau’s use of abstract forms and interwoven shapes reflects the non-linear nature of relationships—both internal and external. "Layering, both in color and form, speaks to the complexity of identity—how memories, experiences, and the present coexist. Each layer represents a different aspect of the self or one’s roots, illustrating that identity is not static but constantly evolving."

Layers of Memory: A Visual Exploration of Past and Present

Rebecca Bernau "Inner Child", 2024, 50.0×50.0cm, Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Canvas

The earthy tones and violet-green hues evoke growth and grounding, enhancing the connection between self and surroundings. In this piece, two figures overlap and merge with their environment, creating new forms, colors, and spaces.

Reflecting on the main visual of the dual exhibition in Ginza, Bernau explains, "The transparency of the figures represents how our histories influence us in both visible and hidden ways." This blending of figures with the background symbolizes the fluidity of identity, where past and present selves continuously interact.

"In this recent work, I’ve started blending my figures more organically with their environment," she reflects, contrasting this approach with her earlier pieces, where the figures stood out more distinctly. "This shift speaks to my belief that we are inseparable from our surroundings and our histories." This theme is deeply embedded in her piece Inner Child, which explores the ongoing relationship between past and present selves.

Anonymous Figures: Individuality Reflected in Faceless Forms

Unthought known: Rebecca Bernau & Hitomi Endo dual exhibition / Whitestone Ginza New Gallery

One of the key motifs in Bernau’s art is her use of faceless, anonymous figures. By leaving her subjects undefined, she invites viewers to project their own emotions and experiences onto the artwork. "By leaving the figures without specific identities, I invite viewers to reflect on their own inner landscapes and unspoken histories" Bernau explains.

This anonymity gives her work a universal appeal, allowing viewers to engage with it on a personal level. The figures represent the "Unthought Known," those subconscious elements of identity that influence us in ways we do not fully recognize. "The multi-layered approach underscores the idea that much of what defines us lies beneath the surface, unspoken yet deeply impactful" she says.

Dialogue Between the Self, History, and Environment

Whitestone Ginza New Gallery × CAFÉ AMADEUS STORY

As Bernau prepares for her first solo exhibition in Japan, she is eager to see how her work will be received in a new cultural context. "Japan’s rich artistic traditions, with their focus on subtlety, harmony, and emotional nuance, make it an ideal context for my work, which often explores the quieter, more introspective aspects of identity" she shares.

Bernau anticipates a new kind of dialogue with Japanese viewers. "I expect a more introspective dialogue. I look forward to seeing how the Japanese audience connects with the emotional and psychological layers of my art, particularly as they relate to the theme of “Unthought Known."

Unthought known: Rebecca Bernau & Hitomi Endo dual exhibition / Whitestone Ginza New Gallery

To experience the full depth of Bernau’s exploration of identity and the fluidity of human connection, be sure to visit the online exhibition, where her works invite you to reflect on your own hidden layers and personal histories.

Online Exhibition: Unthought known