Robert Bergstrasser is a sculptor whose creative journey spans more than five decades, marked by a deep respect for process, material, and form. Known for allowing each piece to evolve organically, Bergstrasser embraces the unknown in his work: “If I knew what I was going to do when I started, I wouldn’t do it.” His sculptures emerge from a process of discovery, shaped by both intuition and an intimate understanding of the medium.

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Beginning his artistic path in 1963 at Kingston High School under the mentorship of art teacher Graydon Mayer, Bergstrasser was introduced to the tactile world of sculpture through a simple hunk of clay. Though he did not pursue a formal art education due to the challenges of dyslexia, he credits the condition for fueling his creativity and sharpening his visual and spatial awareness.

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Over the years, Bergstrasser has worked in wood, stone, and clay. His practice was temporarily shaped by health challenges that steered him toward more manageable materials like clay. Now equipped with a pacemaker and defibrillator, he has returned to the physically demanding process of stone carving. Regardless of the medium, he allows the material to guide him—honoring its properties and limitations.

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A self-described “process artist,” Bergstrasser welcomes imperfection as a path to innovation: “There’s no innovation without mistakes.” He regularly attends life drawing sessions in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and New York City’s Society of Illustrators, often using his sketches as the first step in developing sculptural forms through a technique known as direct carving.

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With a body of work that reflects resilience, curiosity, and an ever-evolving vision, Robert Bergstrasser continues to shape the world around him—one form, one mistake, and one discovery at a time.