bernadette funk

{BERNADETTE FUNK ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

      What medium(s) do you work in? and why is this your preferred medium?

I primarily work in printmaking, and then, primarily polyester plate lithography. It seems that so much time is required to finally pull a print. But I’ll never forget, after pulling one of my first prints at school, thinking, “this is totally worth it.”


Who or what inspires you?

I‘m very much inspired by fiction and the storytelling process in general. The creation of characters is amazing. You can fall in love with one and loathe another. Some characters represent your aspirations and some your failures.  The idea that someone (writer, director, artist) has manipulated you to feel is fantastic.

This is hardly related to my art making process (or maybe it is), but it makes me dream, and I think that’s important.


Is there anything in your art that you are afraid people might discover?

Because I work with self-portraits it’s no secret that my work is fairly personal. I guess I’d be afraid of people realizing just how personal some of it is.


As an artist how do you deal with criticism what do you think can be gained from being open to critique?

You have to be open to critique as an artist. Don’t take everything personally or you’ll find yourself curled up, foetal position, in the corner of a darkened room. Remain open or you’ll never grow. If it gets you thinking about your work it can only be good whether it makes you want to work on something or strengthens your resolve.


Do you think it’s possible to develop artistic talent or do you feel that it is innate? Why do you think this way?

I think you can be trained to paint perfectly. You can learn every process behind every medium. Someone who paints perfectly though may not have the creativity an untrained artist might have. The work might not mean as much, might not show us as much. I think it must be a combination of the two.

Bernadette Funk was born in Oakville (ON), where she currently resides, and studies art at McMaster University in Hamilton.

Bernadette has worked with the self-portraiture for three years now, creating art that resonates on a personal level. Working with painting and printmaking media, she explores issues of self and identity while constantly maintaining an unstable emotional state in the work. Bernadette has taken inspiration from issues concerning display and abnormality, creating confrontational images where the viewer is often left feeling uncomfortable.


  www.bernadettefunk.com