Bernard C. Meyers is an American abstract contemporary artist and master printer. With an MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in traditional printmaking, his artwork explores the intersections of photographic realism and abstract expressionism. His work has been featured in gallery, museum, and institutional solo exhibitions, as well as in library and private collections nationwide. Meyers’s art is a journey into the depths of perception, blending the tangible with the metaphysical.
Bernard C. Meyers’s series “Between Worlds” is a testament to his fascination with the liminal spaces between reality and abstraction. Inspired by Paul Caponigro’s quote, “To fathom mystery, one must plunge into its depths or be graced by an encounter with that hidden vortex at the dim edges of life,” Meyers delves into the elusive realms of consciousness and perception.
The core question of “Between Worlds” is: When is a photograph not just a photograph but something more? Meyers has been wrestling with this query for over 40 years, starting with his graduate thesis. His exploration is about finding that vantage point between our constructed realities and the vast unknown beyond. It’s about a waking dream, a personal spiritual experience, and other realms of consciousness.
Meyers believes that science, religion, and philosophy all flirt with the idea that we function on more than one plane of existence simultaneously. This acceptance alone opens the possibility of other worlds. He seeks the key, the algorithm, the path to the secret garden, and the east gate at the tabernacle. For Meyers, this door can open anywhere; it requires losing self-importance, silencing internal conversations, and simply stopping to sense and see. More often than not, he finds himself within the veil that separates these domains.
The photographs in “Between Worlds” are all “straight” photographs, yet they transcend the everyday and the documentary. They are meant to become something ripe with intrigue and mystery. Meyers embraces ambiguity and the abstract as gateways to the unknown, wandering its intricate edges. His hope is that these images provide a tangible experience, offering a diaphanous glimpse into the boundaries between worlds.
Meyers’s journey into the world of art began with traditional printmaking. His MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology equipped him with a deep understanding of the technical aspects of printmaking. However, it was his curiosity about the metaphysical aspects of art that led him to blend photographic realism with abstract expressionism. His work is a continuous exploration of how images can exceed the territories between reality and metaphor.
The philosophies of science, religion, and metaphysics also play a crucial role in shaping Meyers’s artistic vision. He draws inspiration from the idea that we exist on multiple planes simultaneously and that art can be a bridge between these planes.
Bernard C. Meyers’s “Between Worlds” is not just an art series; it’s a philosophical inquiry into the nature of reality and perception. His work challenges viewers to look beyond the surface, to find the hidden vortices at the edges of life. Through his photographs, Meyers invites us to explore the intricate boundaries between worlds, offering a glimpse into the unknown.
Meyers’s art is a testament to the power of blending technical mastery with deep philosophical inquiry. His ability to create images that transcend the everyday and enter the realm of the mysterious is what sets his work apart. As we engage with his art, we are reminded of the many layers of reality and the potential for art to bridge the gap between the known and the unknown.
