The Luminous Forest

Lanny Bergner

InLiquid in partnership with Gravers Lane Gallery

June 6 - 28, 2025

As a resident of Fidalgo Island, Washington State, Lanny Bergner has been inspired by the lush diversity of nature in the Pacific Northwest woodlands for most of his life. Daily nature exposure - whether through forestland hikes or garden walks - nurtures Lanny’s appreciation for the mysterious life force existing around him.

This series of work reflects Lanny’s response to that environment. He creates his vision using man-made materials of metal mesh, monofilament, wire, acrylic pigments and glass frit that he flame paints, knots, twists and hand models, transforming these elements into ethereal constructions.

Viewers are invited to enter a forest-like environment expressed through embossed mesh wall panels accentuated with leaf shapes, as well as with hanging pods containing luminescent biomorphic structures. Wall mounted basket forms in dialogue with suspended geometric works complete the assemblage and act as codices for the gallery installation hinting at the mysteries of it all.

About the Artist

Mr. Bergner received his M.F.A. in sculpture from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, in 1983 after earning a B.F.A. in sculpture from the University of Washington in 1981. His work is in numerous museum collections including the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC; Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA; Museum of Art and Design, NY, NY; Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA and the Central Museum of Textile, Łódź, Poland.

In 1995 he was the recipient of the Betty Bowen Memorial Award administered by the Seattle Art Museum, and in 2005 he was awarded a Gold Prize at the Cheongju International Craft Biennale in Cheongju, Korea. In 2010 he was one of five American artists who exhibited in the 13th International Triennial of Tapestry in Łódź, Poland.

In 2023 Mr. Bergner was invited to lend five of his sculptures for display in the “Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses” retrospective at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in the Palais du Louvre, Paris, France. After the Paris run in April 2024 the exhibition moved to Brisbane, Australia with subsequent worldwide locations pending.

In addition to his studio practice and exhibition schedule Mr. Bergner has taught workshops at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN and at Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, PA as well as at several National Basketry Organization Conferences. Internationally Mr. Bergner has conducted workshops at Geelong Fibre Forum in Victoria, Australia, and at Timeless Textiles in Newcastle, Australia.

Lanny Bergner has worked with metal mesh since 1983 and maintains a studio on Fidalgo Island, Washington state, in the Pacific Northwest.

Artist Statement

Lanny Bergner (born in Anacortes, WA, 1952) is a mixed-media metal mesh sculptor with a body of work ranging from small basketry to large-scale installations.

He creates his sculptural works using industrially woven stainless steel and copper mesh that he cuts into shapes and flame paints with a butane and/or propane torch. He then hand models the mesh creating bas-relief accentuating the flame painted design. With linesman pliers he connects the mesh together transforming the material into three-dimensional semi-transparent biomorphic and geometric constructions. He finishes each piece by hand-stitching seams with coated wire.

The resulting forms reference the natural world, both micro and macro. Plant biology, undersea creatures, cellular structures, earth geology and otherworldly cosmology inspire his creations. His visually intricate works engage the viewer with glimpses into a universe where nature and manmade materials coalesce while celebrating the mystery and wonder of it all.

Lanny Bergner has worked with metal mesh since 1983 and maintains a studio on Fidalgo Island, Washington state, in the Pacific Northwest.