Neva Bergemann (1968, Milwaukee) resides in Greece, where she has been the lead instructor for the Visual Arts department at Hellenic International Studies in the Arts (HISA) since 2010. The artist also founded Artists on the Move, a program that combines visual arts — working across a variety of media, both en plein air and in the studio — with an exploration of the rich traditions expressed through the architecture, landscape, and cultural life of the Greek islands.

Captivated by the landscapes of Greece, her adopted homeland, the artist draws inspiration from an element deeply rooted in Mediterranean culture: the olive tree. This tree embodies both visual impact and symbolic meaning; its forms, shaped by strong winds or marked by severe cuts, are the product of past civilizations whose echoes still resonate within our collective consciousness. Emphasizing a vigorous and resilient nature, the olive trees stand stoic and strong on paper, yet infused with grace and vitality, nourished by air, earth, and sun. Although solitary in appearance, a sense of community emerges among them when they are presented together.