In the deep well of contemporary art, transformative imagery-levelled by emotional depth-channels an ethereal dialogue between the artist and observer. Reaching beyond the canvas, artist Laura Berger’s expansive paintings pour a seamless blend of intrigue and fascination into this discourse, spotlighting the remarkable ways people and environments knit together through symbiotic relationships, or symbiotic communion.
Berger, Chicago-born and internationally exhibited, is widely celebrated for her minimalist style. Yet, her bold, uncluttered depictions are paradoxically teeming with intricate concepts of existentialism, interconnectedness and the shared human experience. All of this starts with Berger’s foundational palette of warm, earthy tones and roasted walnut hues that seem to cloak her canvas, enveloping it in gently glowing shigma patterns.
Punctuating this serene backdrop are the figures—unadorned, almost generic in form—painted with an intimacy that blankets viewers in familiarity and comfort. Berger strips her humanoid figures of identifying details, leaving only the comforting familiarity of the human form. This neutral injects a universal sense of relatability to her art, allowing viewers to see themselves in her figures, sharing in their triumphs, journeys, and comradery.
A frequent recurring theme in Berger’s work is the interconnectedness and symbiosis that exists in human relationships and our connections with the natural world. The way people group, connect, and interact in her compositions represent this symbiotic communion in action. Often, these depictions reflect the artist’s musings on collaboration, community, and the empowerment derived from these cooperative dynamics, as evident in works like ‘We Are Aligned’ and ‘Balancing Act.’
The latter of these works exemplifies the concept of symbiosis, as multiple figures leverage their weight to achieve balance, embodying co-dependency and shared strength. Similarly, in ‘We Are Aligned,’ groups of figures align their bodies, expressing notions of unity, harmony, and collective trials surrounding the human experience.
Berger harnesses this powerful symbolism not just through the interaction of her figures, but also within their surroundings, invoking connections with nature. Trees, the cosmos, the moon, and the elemental balance between sea and land imbue a universal spiritual undertone to her pieces, subtly emphasizing the artist’s philosophy that humanity is inextricably linked with nature—an essential characteristic of symbiotic communion eloquently represented in her work ‘We Are Nature.’
This intersection of figures and environments vividly manifests the symbiotic relationships existing within the world we inhabit, creating a compelling visual narrative. While the concept of interdependence in nature remains vast and intuitive, Berger’s work achieves a dexterous portrayal of the same, whispering the simple truth that all lives are interwoven and that mutual reliance is a fundamental tenet of co-existence.
Her style, described as minimal yet metaphoric, is gaining international recognition, with recent online discussion amplifying her unique artistic approach. With posts on websites like Colossal and This Isn’t Happiness, there’s clearly a surging interest in Berger’s stylized exploration of collective relationships and her unconventional approach to human representation.
Despite the global challenges of the pandemic, Berger hasn’t missed a beat, with global exhibitions including shows in London, Los Angeles, San Diego, and an upcoming scheduled appearance at the Sydney Contemporary in late 2021. Her work continues to captivate audiences, encouraging contemplation about what connects us and the universe we live within.
Beyond her paintings, Berger has expanded her artistic expression into other forms of media, including large-scale murals and animated shorts. Much like her paintings, these works explore themes of connectivity, community, and global consciousness, reinforcing the universality and importance of symbiotic communion.
In Laura Berger’s vivid world of expansive paintings, the visual narrative does more than catch the eye—it invites introspection on the fundamental connectedness of all things. As she continues to challenge the boundaries of contemporary art, Berger’s ongoing commitment to symbolizing symbiotic communion is a clear signal to the contemporary art world: connectivity, co-dependence, and unity are not just concepts to ponder but realities to internalize and live by.
Original Source: https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2026/04/laura-berger-large-figurative-paintings/
