Meet Rebecca Bergman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Bergman.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was pronounced dead, and then, as I slowly came back to life, I started drawing (before really being able to walk or talk)

When I was 30 years old, touring Australia, in the backseat of the jeep (only one wearing a seatbelt) the jeep flipped into a mangrove swamp ( the other three passengers only had minor injuries) and I was found facedown in the swamp. Not one of the three local hospitals could help me, so I was flown to Brisbane, where I was pronounced dead. The neurosurgeon who worked on me somehow managed to bring me back to life. I spent six months in the hospital.

The neurosurgeon told me I would be a vegetable and then when I was able to move he told me that I would never be able to walk or talk again and always be in a wheelchair, and then when I left my wheelchair (the process was very slow believe me) he almost cried, claiming it was an amazing turn of events.

So then, I had to relearn everything from scratch having lost most of my memories from before then, that means I had to learn how to walk, talk, dress, eat, live in society … everything.

While still in ICU I started to draw (before I even realized what had happened to me) and it was my breath.
Since then, almost every day, I have the need to draw and paint and also movement is incredibly important (having been so close not ever being able to) and love also. Those are my three basics for living: loving, painting, moving.

Please tell us about your art.
I use my art to express dreams, visions, the possibility of facts and my imagination, uncontrolled by reason. I appreciate the profound order of the natural world; it’s purity of form and purpose from the micro to the macro. The painting process transforms into a meditative, contemplation rather than a representation.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Hmmm… I have a hard time with that, so not sure what kind of advice I can give, although I seem to sell my work from exhibitions and word of mouth and friends. Just keep creating, do the work, go to exhibitions that you want to show at, shake hands, introduce yourself. Over and over and over again.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Rancho Linda Vista
Yuma Art Center
Paulina Miller Gallery
i.d.e.a. Museum Mesa
The Vault, ASU
El Mirage Art Center
and various other museums/galleries

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rebeccabergman.com
• Phone: (480)607-7225
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: rebeccalgbergman
• Facebook: rebeccabergman

Image Credit:
Randall Bohl

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