Bernate's large-scale abstract paintings and sculptures are characterized by a bold and vibrant aesthetic. Her work is inspired by the urban environment, nature, and her personal experiences. Bernate's paintings often feature layers of bright colors, gestural marks, and geometric shapes, while her sculptures are made of found objects, metals, and wood.
Bernate has exhibited her work internationally, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. She is the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant.
Bernate's work is held in major public and private collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.