In her research as a visual artist, Yolande Bernier examines the enigma of distant traces made by man using earth, through her practice of Nihonga, an ancient Japanese art form which uses mineral pigments. Fascinated by our human origins, the artist creates compositions where colour and light form primeval spatial arrangements-preceding form, as found in dream-like, atmospheric artworks. Contemplating the nature of beauty, Bernier has developed a visual language anchored in an intimacy with nature. In her paintings medium and message unite.

Since 1982, Yolande Bernier has participated in a number of art apprenticeships in Japan and has visited numerous European sites of prehistoric wall paintings. Very engaged in the art milieu, she has been exposing her art for the last 25 years, and has given numerous conferences in cultural settings. She is included in the Répertoire des Ressources, Artists at school, Québec Ministry of Culture and Education.

Inspiration: Earth Colours

Since ancient times, humans have used earth colours to represent the world and its relationship to it. Whether used in prehistoric frescoes or in the first Buddhist icon, we derive our first visual language from the earth.

Both permanent and changing, the earth enabled both its oriental and occidental artists, to celebrate, interpret and leave their traces. Enriched by my greater understanding of earth, I sense how it holds its primitive memories, how it witnessed transitions, and how it nourished the legends of humanity.

To use this ancient method which calls upon the earth colours to create images, is to make a testimonial to our present life and that of the past. Our own earth contains within itself the capacity for beauty.