Lili Bernard
Few artists reveal themselves or the tensions of the world in as visceral and compelling ways as Lili Bernard. The actor, artist and advocate draws on her family history, historical constructs and current events to deliver challenges to power, hold abusers accountable, and shine a bright and optimistic light on the resilience of survivors of every shape and form. In this far-ranging conversation, we touch on the power of art to heal, her own experiences as a Cosby survivor, why advocacy matters now more than ever, as well as the rewards and challenges of stepping forward.
LILI BERNARD is a Cuban-born, Los Angeles-based interdisciplinary artist of mixed African, Caribbean, European and Chinese descent. Her work examines issues of sexism, racism and trauma. A mother of six whom she birthed in a ten-year span, Lili is an award-winning exhibiting fine artist, actor, published writer, independent curator, educator, community organizer, public speaker and founder of BAILA: Black Artists in Los Angeles. Raised predominantly in Princeton, Jct., New Jersey, and a graduate of The American School in Japan where she spent 11th and 12th grade, Lili attended Cornell University and The City University of New York, earning a B.A. in German. She received her MFA in Visual Arts/Public Practice from Otis College of Art and Design.
In the fine arts, Lili’s numerous credits include a 2017 solo exhibition at Museum of African Diaspora and favorable reviews in a multitude of mainstream art periodicals, including ARTnews Magazine. As an actor who has performed extensively in NYC Off-Broadway theatre, on television Lili starred in the BBC film Murder in Oakland, co-starred in Stephen King’s Golden Years, and guest-starred on Seinfeld and The Cosby Show.
A Cosby survivor-turned public-figure antirape activist, Lili influenced the abolishment of the statute of limitations on rape prosecution in California with her #EndRapeSOL peers, as well as the gubernatorial signing of three #MeToo bills on employment sexual harassment and assault. Currently, she serves as co-chair of #ERAnow.
"My work exposes the post-colonial paradigm of suffering and resilience, through a collision of cruelty against compassion. The generational struggle of my Afro-Cuban immigrant family and Caribbean ancestors and my personal experiences as survivor of rape and domestic violence inform my exploration of the impact of trauma and the unconquerable nature of the human spirit." -- LILI BERNARD
Additional Media Resources:
"Lili Bernard: Fighting Trauma With Art" (KCET.org) :
https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/lili-bernard-fighting-trauma-with-art
Lili Bernard - Solo Museum Art Exhibition - MoAD 2017:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLeiFy6PJHM&t=1s
"L.A. Habitat: Lili Bernard" (ARTnews Magazine):
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/l-a-habitat-lili-bernard-6617/
Ain't Funny by Lili Bernard 2014:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjs9Kk37O3g&t=729s
"California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs 2 #MeToo Bills Against Sexual Harrassment" (The Wrap):
https://www.thewrap.com/california-gov-newsom-signs-2-metoo-bills-against-sexual-harrassment/
Lili Bernard interview on GDLA (Fox 11 Los Angeles):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-x0oINdaJI
"Op-Ed: I’m one of Bill Cosby’s accusers. His defense strategy is reprehensible." (LA Times):
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-bernard-bill-cosby-racism-20170607-story.html
Lili Bernard on Michaela Pereira Show/HLN Comments on Camille Cosby's Post-Verdict Statement (HLN):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO0pnueTnd4
Bill Cosby Rape Survivor Says Black Women Face Disproportionate Pressure Not to Speak Out on Assault (Democracy Now!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk8I63nLclA
Cosby Accuser: “I’ve been waiting for this moment for 26 years” (MSNBC):
https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/cosby-accuser-i-ve-been-waiting-for-this-moment-for-26-years-1220872259860
Lili Bernard & Caroline Heldman talk Cosby, Dr Ford and more (Fox 11 Los Angeles):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ddgglD3lM
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Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez
In the fine arts, Lili’s numerous credits include a 2017 solo exhibition at Museum of African Diaspora and favorable reviews in a multitude of mainstream art periodicals, including ARTnews Magazine. As an actor who has performed extensively in NYC Off-Broadway theatre, on television Lili starred in the BBC film Murder in Oakland, co-starred in Stephen King’s Golden Years, and guest-starred on Seinfeld and The Cosby Show.
A Cosby survivor-turned public-figure antirape activist, Lili influenced the abolishment of the statute of limitations on rape prosecution in California with her #EndRapeSOL peers, as well as the gubernatorial signing of three #MeToo bills on employment sexual harassment and assault. Currently, she serves as co-chair of #ERAnow.
"My work exposes the post-colonial paradigm of suffering and resilience, through a collision of cruelty against compassion. The generational struggle of my Afro-Cuban immigrant family and Caribbean ancestors and my personal experiences as survivor of rape and domestic violence inform my exploration of the impact of trauma and the unconquerable nature of the human spirit." -- LILI BERNARD
Additional Media Resources:
"Lili Bernard: Fighting Trauma With Art" (KCET.org) :
https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/lili-bernard-fighting-trauma-with-art
Lili Bernard - Solo Museum Art Exhibition - MoAD 2017:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLeiFy6PJHM&t=1s
"L.A. Habitat: Lili Bernard" (ARTnews Magazine):
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/l-a-habitat-lili-bernard-6617/
Ain't Funny by Lili Bernard 2014:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjs9Kk37O3g&t=729s
"California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs 2 #MeToo Bills Against Sexual Harrassment" (The Wrap):
https://www.thewrap.com/california-gov-newsom-signs-2-metoo-bills-against-sexual-harrassment/
Lili Bernard interview on GDLA (Fox 11 Los Angeles):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-x0oINdaJI
"Op-Ed: I’m one of Bill Cosby’s accusers. His defense strategy is reprehensible." (LA Times):
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-bernard-bill-cosby-racism-20170607-story.html
Lili Bernard on Michaela Pereira Show/HLN Comments on Camille Cosby's Post-Verdict Statement (HLN):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO0pnueTnd4
Bill Cosby Rape Survivor Says Black Women Face Disproportionate Pressure Not to Speak Out on Assault (Democracy Now!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk8I63nLclA
Cosby Accuser: “I’ve been waiting for this moment for 26 years” (MSNBC):
https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/cosby-accuser-i-ve-been-waiting-for-this-moment-for-26-years-1220872259860
Lili Bernard & Caroline Heldman talk Cosby, Dr Ford and more (Fox 11 Los Angeles):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ddgglD3lM
--------------
Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez
