Coding

Ali Herrmann is a mixed media painter and science lover, whose work explores cellular structures as an origin into her abstract paintings. Creating what she terms ‘micro-biome landscapes,’ Herrmann uses SEM images as inspiration to explore concepts of blood, bacteria, and unicellular structures within her abstract paintings. Influences of color, shapes, and light, help develop the layers in her work. Her use of repetition and patterns assist in creating these abstract artworks. The repetition of an object and form attempts to understand and interpret natural rhythmic orders on micro and macro levels. Her desire is driven to understand how individual elements and pieces come together to create a whole. With the creation of each painting, Herrmann pushes the boundaries and depth of the paint medium by combining materials such as ink, paint and paper to create richly colored, luminous works of art. She often uses scrapers and knife tools to incorporate sgraffito techniques and textures within her work. Revealing etched lines and hidden layers of underlying color, she successfully creates awe-inspiring, multi-layered effects in each painting.

The early stages of Herrmann’s career began in 1994 with a focus on geological sciences at Colgate University. In 1995, Herrmann transferred to Bennington College to continue her education within a cross-disciplinary model, combining studies of fine arts, psychology and biology. In 1998 she received a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree, specializing in painting and printmaking.

Since college, Herrmann has focussed on a very unique style of collage painting, incorporating inspiration from both natural and biological sciences. Her use of color, themes, and imagery in her work capture a chaotic sense beauty and joyfulness that comes across in each piece.

Herrmann’s continuously growing accolades include artistic residencies at the Vermont Studio School in 2007, Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY in 2017, and the Millay Colony, Austerlitz, NY, 2020. Throughout her career, Herrmann has been awarded multiple grants: a SCR grant through the Arts Center of the Capital Region/New York State Council on the Arts 2023 & 2022, a Massachusetts local cultural council grant in 2017, an A.R.T. fund grant recipient in 2020, as well as a Martha Boschen Porter Fund Grant recipient from the Berkshire Taconic Foundation in 2014 and 2019. Herrmann exhibits work at Albany Center Gallery in Albany, NY, The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, and The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY. Her work is in the collections of RCA, Screen Gems Productions, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and the Red Lion Inn.

Publications & Reviews

Aedra Fine Arts
Artist Feature Catalogue online, June 5, 2025
Curatorial review by Michael Hanna
Volume 9, 2025

Dirt Magazine
Amoebas and Seed Pods art her Muse
Featured Review written by Taliesin Thomas
November 25, 2024