Simon Bernhardt is an award-winning commercial / fine art photographer and author.
Bernhardt’s photographs have been recognised in numerous awards including the prestigious Olive Cotton Award for Portraiture, Head On Portrait and Landscape Awards and The Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize.
Having exhibited over ten selected solo exhibitions and participated in over forty group exhibitions internationally and nationally. His iconic photographs and six monographs are held and archived in the permanent collections of The National Library of Australia, Australian Centre of Photography, Asia – Pacific Photobook Archive and various private collections around the world.
Bernhardt’s second monograph Square Scapes gained international acclaim for its contemporary style in minimal urban landscape photography, highlighting his dedication to friend and mentor the great Australian painter Jeffrey Smart.
In recent years, Bernhardt’s highly controversial portrait exhibitions and publications BDSM and Gateway are associated with his close observation and understanding of contemporary fine art photography. This continues to fuel and challenge the development of his imagery, making him one of the most influential and exceptional photographic artists working in Australia today.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Born 1976, Sydney, Australia.
Bernhardt divides his time between Sydney, Australia and Europe.
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Say What!?, Between Lines, Sydney
2022 Simon Says, Between Lines, Sydney
2016 BDSM, Sun Studios, Sydney
2016 BDSM, Black Eye Gallery, Sydney
2014 Gateway, Black Eye Gallery, Sydney
2013 PH The Final Six, Yellow Bungalow, Sydney
2013 Square Scapes, In The Annex, Sydney
2012 Square Scapes, He Made She Made Gallery, Sydney
2011 Polaroid Holiday, Global Gallery, Sydney
2011 Polaroid Holiday, Macleay Bookshop, Sydney
2011 Polaroid Holiday, Wedge Gallery Kinokuniya, Sydney
2010 Polaroid Holiday, Blender Gallery, Sydney
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2023 Head On Landscape Award, Bondi Pavilion Gallery, Sydney
2023 The Iris Award, Perth Centre for Photography
2022 Head On Portrait Award, Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Sydney
2022 Head On Landscape Award, Bondi Pavilion Gallery, Sydney
2022 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2021 Head On Portrait Award, Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Sydney
2021 Head On Landscape Award, Bondi Beach Promenade, Sydney
2021 The Iris Award, Perth Centre for Photography
2021 Lockdown Picture Show, Halls Lane Gallery, Sydney
2021 Coded Art Exhibition, Kirra Hill Art Gallery, Coolangatta
2021 Flood Art Relief, Contact Gallery, Sydney
2020 Winter Show 2020, Black Eye Gallery, Sydney
2020 Covid 19 Art Relief, Contact Gallery, Sydney
2020 Head On Portrait Award, Paddington Town Hall, Sydney
2019 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2019 BDSM Exhibition, Superchief Gallery, Los Angeles
2019 The Olive Cotton Award, Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah
2019 Head On Portrait Award, Paddington Town Hall, Sydney
2018 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2018 Five Year Celebration, Black Eye Gallery, Sydney
2017 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2017 Berlin Collective, Spring Break Art Fair, New York
2016 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2016 Head On Portrait Award, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney
2015 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2015 Urban Landscapes, Cultural Ministry, Rome
2015 Collective, Perth Centre for Photography
2015 The Olive Cotton Award, Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah
2015 The Iris Award, Perth Centre for Photography
2014 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2013 The Olive Cotton Award, Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah
2013 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2013 Head On Photo Festival, The Collective 01, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Sydney
2013 Head On Photo Festival, The Rorschach Effect, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Sydney
2013 The Apache Clip Awards, Perth Centre for Photography
2013 Art Month – 33 Degrees, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Sydney
2012 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2011 Analogue, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Sydney
2011 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2010 Bringing Cotton to Canvas, Ambush Gallery, Sydney
2010 This Time It’s Personal, Sun Studios, Sydney
2007 Images of Italy, Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
1999 Ninety Nine, Seymour Centre, Sydney
MONOGRAPHS
2023 Say What!?
2022 Simon Says
2016 BDSM
2014 Gateway
2012 Square Scapes
2010 Polaroid Holiday
SELECTED AWARDS AND GRANTS
2023 Head On Landscape Award - Semi Finalist
2023 PCP Iris Award - Photographic Portraiture - Semi Finalist
2022 Head On Portrait Award - Finalist
2022 Head On Landscape Award - Semi Finalist
2021 Head On Landscape Award - Finalist
2021 Head On Portrait Award - Semi Finalist
2021 PCP Iris Award - Photographic Portraiture - Finalist
2020 Head On Portrait Award - Semi Finalist
2020 Head On Landscape Award - Semi Finalist
2019 The Olive Cotton Award - Finalist
2019 Head On Portrait Award - Semi Finalist
2019 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize - Semi Finalist
2016 Head On Portrait Award - Finalist
2015 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize - Semi Finalist
2015 The Olive Cotton Award - Finalist and highly commended
2015 PCP Iris Award - Finalist and highly commended
2014 APPA Silver Photography Book Award for Gateway
2014 AIPP NSW Professional Portrait Photographer of the Year
2013 The Olive Cotton Award - Finalist and highly commended
2013 Apache Clip Awards - Finalist and highly commended
2012 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize - Semi Finalist
2010 Photographic Art Book Grant, City of Sydney - Winner
2009 National Avant Post Card Award - Winner
2008 National Avant Post Card Award - Winner
LECTURING
2021 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2021 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2016 BDSM Exhibition and Publication, Interview Fbi Radio
2015 Australian Centre for Photography, Melbourne Bookfair
2015 Melbourne TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2015 Australian Photography and Digital Magazine, How to make beautiful photo books
2014 Marijuana Gateway Publication, Interview 2SER Radio
2014 Museum of Contemporary Art, Photographic Bookfair
2013 Instagram & Instant Photography Panel Interview, By Design, ABC Radio National
2013 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2013 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2012 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2012 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2011 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2011 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2010 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2010 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2009 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2009 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2008 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2008 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2007 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2007 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2006 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2006 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2005 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2005 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
2004 Sydney TAFE Industry Review, Fine Arts and Commercial Photography
2004 Sydney TAFE Graduation Portfolio Review
COLLECTIONS
National Library of Australia
Australian Centre for Photography
Asia – Pacific Photobook Archive
Perth Centre for Photography
Bibliotheca Librorum Apud Artificem
Various private collections in the UK, Australia, Japan, China, Sweden, Germany and the USA
PUBLICATIONS
ACB Beauty Magazine
Art of Cosmetic Beauty, Australia and USA
Black and White Magazine
Celebrations Magazine
Couture Magazine
DCM Magazine
Eva Magazine, Slovakia
Emirates Woman
Fashion Handbook
Good Food Magazine
Good Living Magazine
Good Weekend Magazine
Highlights Magazine
Hong Kong Cosmopolitan
Hong Kong Tatler
Jewellery Magazine
Marie Claire
Modern Wedding Fashion
Noi.se Magazine
Russh Magazine
S Magazine, Denmark
Sydney Wedding Fashion
Space Magazine
Sydney Leading Homes
Studio Magazines
The Weekend Australian Magazine
The Sydney Morning Herald – Essentials
Vogue Living Magazine
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
2020 To print or publish during Covid? Gateway exhibition and book launch by Simon Bernhardt, Inside Imaging
2019 Simon Bernhardt revealed as semi-finalist for $50,000 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize, Capture Magazine
2019 This Time It’s Personal, Ten years and 100 photographers at Sun Studios, Medianet
2016 BDSM exhibition and book launch by Simon Bernhardt, Radio Interview Fbi Radio
2016 Photographer and long time friend of Canon and Sun Studios, Simon Bernhardt opens exhibition entitled BDSM, Sun Studios
2016 BDSM exhibition and limited edition publication, Trove, National Library of Australia
2016 BDSM publication by photographer Simon Bernhardt review, Google Books
2016 BDSM – Bondage, dominance, submission and sadomasochism by Simon Bernhardt, Art Month Sydney – Contemporary Art Festival
2016 Simon Bernhardt – BDSM photographic exhibition at Black Eye Gallery, Seriously a must see, Royalgram UK
2016 BDSM exhibition and publication by Simon Bernhardt, Capture Magazine
2016 Photographic exhibition by Simon Bernhardt to demystify BDSM expression, PR Wire
2016 Art Month launches at Black Eye Gallery, with BDSM exhibition by Simon Bernhardt, Central Magazine
2016 BDSM Thrusting a taboo topic under the spotlight, by Sydney artist Simon Bernhardt, City Hub Newspaper
2016 Simon Bernhardt’s latest exhibition and book release entitled BDSM, Sydney Eyes
2016 BDSM exhibition by Simon Bernhardt challenging the notion within the BDSM community, Twicsy
2016 New photographic exhibition to demystify BDSM and counteract taboos, The AU Review
2016 BDSM exhibition and book launch by Simon Bernhardt, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine
2016 Simon Bernhardt’s BDSM exhibition and book launch, The Thousands
2016 Photographic exhibition of BDSM expression, Sydney Chic – Sydney Lifestyle Blog
2016 Photographic exhibition to demystify BDSM expression, Lesbians On The Loose
2015 Simon Bernhardt finalised in the PCP Iris Award for Photographic Portraiture, Metaphor Online
2015 ‘Hawke on Toast’ by Simon Bernhardt is a semi-finalist in the 2015 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize, Sydney Morning Herald
2015 Simon Bernhardt – Semi-finalist in the $80,000 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize revealed, Capture Magazine
2015 The AIPP National Blog: Photobook Melbourne & the Australian Photo Book of the Year Award
2015 Simon Bernhardt’s Gateway publication is now part of The Asia-Pacific Photobook Archive, Photo Book Archive
2015 Australian Photography and Digital Magazine: How to make Beautiful Photo Books
2015 Simon Bernhardt, Portrait Prize Finalist, Head On Photo Awards Catalogue Review
2015 Self Publishing Seminar with Simon Bernhardt, Photobook Melbourne - Photography Studies College
2014 Simon Bernhardt’s Gateway exhibition and photography publication launch at Black Eye Gallery, Pinterest
2014 Is cannabis a gateway drug? Photographer Simon Bernhardt’s controversial exhibition, UK240
2014 Gateway exhibition and publication, Catalogue, National Library of Australia
2014 This Weekend in Sydney, Simon Bernhardt Gateway Exhibition, Urban List Sydney
2014 The Marijuana “Gateway”, Radio Interview 2SER Breakfast Radio
2014 Is cannabis a gateway drug? Photographer Simon Bernhardt’s controversial exhibition opens the debate, Daily Telegraph
2014 Photographer Simon Bernhardt starts a conversation about illegal drug use in exhibition, Capture Magazine
2014 Showing cannabis isn’t just for dopes, The Wentworth Courier
2014 Simon Bernhardt and the taboo topic of cannabis, Sydney Chic – Sydney Lifestyle Blog
2014 Reefer Madness or Just Recreation? – Exposition of Cannabis use, The Inner West Courier
2014 Simon Bernhardt’s portrait exhibition launches at Black Eye Gallery Sydney, Central Magazine
2014 Gateway exhibition and publication by photographer Simon Bernhardt, Picuki
2014 SnapShot Series, Photographer Simon Bernhardt’s Gateway exhibition, Iconic and Vintage
2014 Simon Bernhardt’s exhibition entitled ‘Gateway’ the controversial portrait exhibition explores stereotypes about cannabis users, Desktop Magazine
2014 Cannabis in the spotlight in Simon Bernhardt’s exhibition, Marijuana Market News
2014 Gateway? Cannabis users demystified in photographic exhibition, Backyard Opera
2014 Smoke and Mirrors, Photographer Simon Bernhardt explores cannabis, the so-called gateway drug, City Hub Newspaper
2014 With the Photo Exhibition of Simon Bernhardt, Cannabis Use Comes to Limelight, Marijuana.tm
2014 Gateway: the cannabis debate rehashed, Alternative Media Group
2014 Cannabis in the spotlight in Simon Bernhardt’s exhibition, Sydney Morning Herald
2014 The National Treasures Series, Interview with Photographer Simon Bernhardt - Gateway Publication, Iconic and Vintage
2014 Simon Bernhardt’s Polaroid Holiday and Square Scapes publications are now part of The Asia-Pacific Photobook Archive, Photo Book Archive
2013 Artists in a Minute - Simon Bernhardt by Tullulah Godard, Vimeo
2013 The Collective 01 – Exhibition at Kaleidoscope Gallery, Daily Telegraph
2013 Personal Projects – Collective 01, Australian Photography & Digital Magazine
2013 The Collective 01 – Exhibition at Kaleidoscope Gallery, Strobed
2013 Artistic Angle – Works Detach Stigma, The Inner West Courier
2013 The Collective 01 – Commercial photographers creativity showcased at Head On Photo Festival, Campaign Brief
2013 The Rorschach Effect at Kaleidoscope Gallery, Head On Photo Festival Review
2013 PH The Final Six, Guest artist and speaker Simon Bernhardt at Yellow Bungalow
2013 Instagrams & Instant Photography Panel Interview, By Design – ABC Radio National
2013 33 Degrees exhibition features -Elektro Magnetisch Radiation by Simon Bernhardt, Ciao Magazine
2013 Square Scapes exhibition and book launch by Simon Bernhardt, Unless You Will Studio
2012 Square Scapes, Central Magazine
2012 Square Scapes, Everguide Sydney
2012 Square Scapes, Mr Jason Grant Blog
2012 Bernhardt gets smart- Display Honours Artist, The Inner West Courier
2012 Square Scapes, CatchPig Blog
2012 Square Scapes exhibition pays homage to Jeffrey Smart, What’s On Sydney
2012 Square Scapes, Desktop Magazine
2010 Polaroid Holiday, Sydney AlterEgo Blog
2010 Polaroid Holiday, Stop.Edit.Design Blog
2010 Polaroid Holiday, Side Street Sydney Blog
2010 Polaroid Holiday, The Galeries Blog
2010 Polaroid Holiday, Mr Jason Grant Blog
2010 Polaroid Holiday, 24 Hours - The Arts Diary, Sydney Morning Herald
2010 Simon leads Polaroid revival, The Inner West Courier
2010 Polaroid Holiday by Simon Bernhardt, Spectrum, Sydney Morning Herald
2010 A flash back to the Polaroid camera, The Inner West Courier
2010 Bringing Cotton to Canvas, Side Street Sydney Blog
2010 Bringing Cotton to Canvas, Sydney AlterEgo Blog
2010 Bringing Cotton to Canvas, SpiceNews
2010 Bringing Cotton to Canvas, WeAREtheIMAGEmakers