Yael Brotman has a multi-faceted practice based in printmaking, print-based sculpture, and installation. She incorporates imagery suggesting human-made constructions as well as architecture and structure found in nature, exploring themes of control, chance, and mystery.

Brotman has exhibited both internationally and in Canada. International exhibition sites include Krakow, Kyoto, Berlin, Jingdezhen (China), New York, Santander (Spain) and Melbourne. Canadian exhibition sites include Haida Gwaii, Hamilton, Trois-Rivières, Kelowna, Winnipeg, and Toronto.

Brotman has been awarded numerous grants as well as residencies including in China, Australia, Ireland, and Haida Gwaii. She was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and her work is represented in many corporate and public collections.

She lives in Toronto and was a professor for many years at the University of Toronto, teaching drawing, painting, and thesis courses. She has also served on the boards of CARFAC Ontario and CARFAC National. Currently she sits on the advisory board of the Ontario Society of Artists.