Testimonial – Peter Berner – Studio 88 Artist Residency

Peter Berner is a Sydney-based artist specializing in acrylics and non-toxic media. He also has experience in radio and television. Here is his reflection on his residency at Studio 88.

This is his first artist residency, and he decisively chose Studio 88 for its distraction-free environment, which effectively supports his commitment to productive work. Additionally, he was attracted to the opportunities to engage with the wider community through visits to art studios and lectures. His discovery of Studio 88 brought him great satisfaction, largely due to Aom, the director, whose strong organizational skills made the entire experience much smoother for him.

He was assigned a charming little bungalow, and nearby there is a spacious open studio with long tables that is perfect for his work with paper. There’s a coffee shop across the way and a pool around the corner. There’s too much to do even in the Doi Saket area, located just outside of Chiang Mai.

“I imagined finding a place that allowed me to work every day without the distractions of the routine of home. Studio 88 seemed to fit everything that I wanted to do. It offered an environment that was conducive to work and opportunities to engage with the wider community through visits to art studios and lectures.”

During his residency, he faced limitations with the materials he could transport, so he decided to work on paper using pencils, acrylics, and pastels. He enjoyed the practice of mark-making, which often led to landscapes, but more frequently resulted in painting of human faces. This might stem from his background as a stand-up comic. The two forms of expression—comedy and visual art—complement each other. His skills in observing people, developed through years of stand-up, inform his work as an artist. He has translated those observations into paintings and drawings.

When he returns to Australia, he aims to reflect on everything he’s encountered here: the sights, sounds, smells, and creative processes. He wants to dissect these experiences and start creating more substantial pieces based on them.