Nora Bruhn

In line with 836M's 2024 theme, 'Beyond Frontiers,' Nora responded, "When I consider the next frontier, I think about society embracing complexity. I imagine the intersection of art, science, and spirit. I believe that humanity will enter a new level of inspiration, consciousness, and technology once we understand that our well-being is intimately tied to the health of the Earth. For me, the next frontier begins when we turn our attention and effort towards tenderly stewarding the systems that support all life. The sunflower supports degraded soil. Sunflowers play an interesting role in disturbed ecosystems. They bioaccumulate heavy metals and are used as a tool for bioremediation."

Nora Bruhn finds herself with one foot in the city and the other in the forests, deserts and waterways of California. She paints large-scale murals of flowers cast in dramatic lighting. She emphasizes the texture, transparency, and contour of each petal; laboring over every color and representing each hue she finds. Her composition accentuates the most compelling aspects of the flower, offering viewers a captivating and immersive experience. Her work is a ménage of nature, femininity and sensuality.