Kelly Bernheim is a Swiss artist and medical professional, born in 1958 in Zurich and raised in Geneva. After earning a medical degree from the University of Zurich in 1984, Bernheim is still pursuing her career as an internist in Zurich, though to a lesser extent since a few years. As her professional life was largely confined to her practice, she consistently made time to break out to explore and expand the world beyond her four walls. Her lifelong passion for photography and painting is experienced as a mean of escape and solace from the demands and pressures of modern life.

In her artistic statement, "Emergency Exit," to which the title of this internet site refers, she describes the process of seeking beauty in the world around her as a way to find calm and serenity amidst the pressures of political strife, violence, human rights issues, and the rigors of daily life. Her colorful photos suggest a sense of timeless tranquility, offering a serene and enduring calm that transcends the moment. The aim is to create a distant atmosphere that subtly draws the viewer’s gaze toward an elsewhere- her/his own elsewhere.

Kelly's photography also often features abstract effects achieved by intentional camera movement, resulting in painterly compositions. Her subjects are varied, ranging from the deceptive calm of waters to the power of blooming and decaying flowers to landscape and street photography. Her broad approach of themes reflects her multifaceted personality and stands in contrast to the demands and rigors of the medical profession, embodying her search for freedom.

Her approach is primarily intuitive, focusing on color, contrast, and artistic form without conveying a specific message. The interplay of motion, light, and composition in her works reflects a pursuit of stillness in the midst of life's chaos.