Renata Fernandez on her Willesden Junction Studio, West London. Around her, works from NL and HP Series. PC Renata Fernandez
Renata Fernandez. b. 1971, Venezuela. Based in London since 2003.
Fernandez delves into themes that revolve around immigration, notions of territory, identity, and displacement. These societal issues serve as a potent source of inspiration and contemplation for her, whilst showing a deep yet subtle emotion, as she strives to bring attention to the sociopolitical aspects inherent in the found imagery she incorporates into her work.
Through a multidisciplinary and self-referential approach Fernandez weaves together a reconstructed memory of landscapes and inhabited spaces, using a static narrative where monster-like plants and outdoor furniture act as signifiers.
Her artistic process stems from mostly appropriated social media posts. As Fernandez incorporates this ready-made visuals into her work, she reflects upon how people perceive and define the world through the permanently fast evolving media, the importance and influence of self-publishing as to what has become more visible, and the impermanence of the permanence of the earth of images in the digital realm that we would rarely see again…
Drawing on her background in journalism, social sciences, and theatre set design, Fernandez employs her diverse skill set to source, curate, and present her artwork thoughtfully, emphasising the inherent materiality of her works. She remains dedicated to hand-intensive processes, perpetually exploring and experimenting with materials.
Fernandez studied Fine Art -painting and sculpture- in the Armando Reveron University Institute (now called UNEARTE), Social Sciences, Media and Drama-Set Design in Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, all in Caracas. Venezuela.
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​Renata Is an independent artist collaborating on projects with galleries and curators in Venezuela, USA, UK - and the rest of Europe- and Singapore.
With work in a public art collection, Earls Court Development Company. And private collections in the UK, USA, Canada, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Taiwan and Venezuela
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Most recent shows:
SOLO *2024 TRADERS COURT, The Gallery at Lillie Road, London SW6.
COLLECTIVE *2024 Bury My Songs, group show curated by Small Works Gallery
CURRICULUM VITAE
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, 1971. Based in London sine 2003
STUDIES
Fine Arts (IUESAPAR) 1991-96. Social Sciences and Media Studies, (UCAB) 1988-1993. Drama
and Set design, AGO TEATRO 1990-95. All in Caracas, Venezuela. Professional Practice, Contemporary Art Academy (Xavier Ellis & Mathew Gibson’s educational project) 2022-2023
SOLO SHOWS, selection
*2024 TRADERS COURT, The Gallery at Lillie Road, London SW6.
*2013 - 14 TROPICO CAMUFLADO Museum Alejandro Otero. Caracas. Venezuela.
*2009 FAMILY PORTRAITS Convent Sant Agusti. Barcelona. Spain
*2004 HIGH STREET TIGER HUNTING, Tricycle Gallery, London.
*2003 EVERY DAY EPIC, 198 Gallery, London.
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RESIDENCIES / PUBLIC COMMISSIONS / SOCIAL ART PROJECTS
*2024 Earls Court Development Corporation Community Portraits / [2023] I Love West Hendon, a project for Barnet Council with the old an new residents of this neighbourhood / With Growing Spaces, a North Kensington non for profit: 3 community-based mural in 3 different community gardens in the area
*2022 First Artist in Residence, Latin American Art Lab, at Latin American House, Kilburn, London.
*2016 Carnwath Road Hoarding Temporal Commission (Fulham). TIDEWAY BAZALGUETTE
TUNNEL LTD
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GROUP SHOWS, selection
*2024 Bury My Songs, group show curated by Small Works Gallery, in association with Terrace Gallery
*2023 238/ARTURO in Espacio Proyecto Libertad, Merida, Venezuela. April. all women group show with Alex Slato Gallery, Miami
*2022 CARTOGRAPHY OF CARE, Spilt Milk gallery, Edinburg / ATLAS INCONCLUSO, ABRA CARACAS Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela / TWO DOORS, Tart Gallery, House of St Barnabas. Soho / CASAX EXHIBITION, BA curatorial project from Central St Martins, UK Mexican Art Society -now Sommers Gallery- London. / WEARY HAROLD, ASC Gallery, London.
*2021 FIRST BATCH OF TARTS, Tart Gallery / WOMEN’S LOCKDOWN ART, Zabludowicz
Collection (fundraising for Women + Health Charity / SKY Landscape Artist of the Year
*2019 AMALGAMA, in its first London edition, part of FLAWA (Festival of Latin American Women in the Arts). *
*2017 HER NATURE Maddox Arts Mayfair, London. / MARBELLA ART FAIR, with Maddox Arts Gallery
*2016 SKY Landscape Artist of the Year 2016 / Oriel Davies Open. Oriel Davies Gallery. Newtown, Powis. Wales
*2012 Cluster II. SW1 Gallery, London.
*2011 Exposition de sculptures à Hanzinelle, Bruselas. Organized & curated by collectors Jacques and Dominique HAYEZ / Fiztrovia Noir Collective, Intervention Art Trail, Fitzrovia London W1. London.
COLLECTIONS
Public Art Collection, Earls Court Development Company. Private collections in the UK, USA, Canada, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Taiwan and Venezuela
* Book AMALGAMA: WOMEN, IDENTITY & DIASPORA Paperback published in October, available in Amazon. Edited by Daniela Galan.
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