About

Marvin Berk, internationally awarded designer, has been creating photomontage since the 1990's. Berk's unique visuals have been called “surrealistic, amusing, and surprisingly strong — soliciting emotions within every visual story he creates.”

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My substantial interest in art began at 4 years old. Aunt Ethel would take me to the New York Botanical Gardens to see landscapes, exotic greenhouse specimens, and The Bronx River. We studied the view and specific details, capturing them in our mind’s eye. Later we’d sketch that day's explorations from memory. 

INFLUENCES — after receiving my MSW from Fordham University, for five years I co-lead a talk group for people dying of AIDS. Every week I confronted their approaching deaths with the question: How can we or do we want to live each of the limited moments assigned to us? I currently live in Mexico where death as well as the joys and struggles of daily life are acutely visible on the street as well as in local art, song and music. 

If I were to sum up my artistic and my overall philosophy, I would suggest the phrase: embracing the entirety, both joy and disappointment can lead you to richer outcome.

As a recipient of over 50 awards in my professional career, I am most proud of my 20 years’ work for UNICEF and other organizations advancing child and family welfare. Spanning 40 years, I was also fortunate to design for renowned music, dance and theatre-arts innovators.

Studies:

The Art Students League of New York

BFA in sculpture and multi-disciplinary arts from SUNY New Paltz

Masters program in design at Pratt Institute

MSW from Fordham University and

Post graduate studies at the Institute for Core Energetics.