"Nicole Fernandez's sculptures and drawings are totems to private comforts and altars to her life. Her sculpture is made from satin, beads, incense sticks and glamorously shabby upholstery. Both proudly confrontational and secretive they have a sense of mystery and resolve."
- press release from "Twenty Eyes"
STATEMENT:
Inspired by the narratives of her family's immigration from Cuba during the revolution and her involvement in the Riot Grrrl movement as a teenager Fernandez's art follow in the tradition of mythicizing of origins as a way to preserve often hidden histories. Building upon the lineage elements of the vibrancy of color that is prominent in Latin culture, politics of the "other" and alternative modes of spirituality create the cosmologies that form her visual vernacular.
EDUCATION:
MFA, School of Visual Arts, 2006
BFA, Ringling School of Art and Design, 2004
Contemporary Art Theory, Art Institute of Chicago, Summer 2003
EXHIBITIONS:
2021:
New Orleans/New Wave: A Celebration of the Life of Diego Cortez, Gryder Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2019
Rest In Peace Mimi, The Building, New Orleans, LA
2018
The Culture, Fierman Gallery, New York, NY
2016
DUCK SAUCE, New Orleans Art Center, New Orleans, LA
Poydras Art Show, Poydras Home, New Orleans, LA
2014
American Cancer Society Auction, New Orleans, LA
Gumbo 2, New Orleans, LA
2013
American Cancer Society Auction, New Orleans, LA
National Conference of Artists, New Orleans, LA
2012
Carriage Trade Benefit, Carriage Trade Gallery, New York, NY
WYES Art Collection: Twelve, New Orleans, LA
The Good Stuff 3, HomeSpace Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2011
The Good Stuff 2, HomeSpace Gallery, New Orleans, LA
WYES Art Collection: Elevan, New Orleans, LA
Colors in Black, Roy Wilkins Center, Jamaica, NY
Year Zero, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, Jamaica, NY
2010
Gumbo curated by Bruce Davenport Jr, HomeSpace Gallery, New Orleans, LA
The Sketchbook Show, Home Gallery, Chicago, IL
The Sketchbook Show, Soulard Art Market, St.Louis,MI
The Sketchbook Show, Art and Shelter Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
The Sketchbook Show,303 Grand, Brooklyn, NY
Gutter Glamour, Kaleid Gallery, San Jose, CA
2009
The Sketchbook Show, Art House Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Antagonist Gallery, NYC,NY
2008
Night of 1,000 Drawings, Artist Space, NYC, NY
2007
Night of 1,000 Drawings, Artist Space, NYC,NY
This Is Berlin Not New York, Mastul e.V., Berlin
yo mama, Niagara, NYC,NY
The Square Foot Show,ArtGotham, NYC,NY
Piece of Mind, Warehouse show, Hollywood, FL
Plastic Appeal, Opaq Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
2006
Nude Aid, Hosted by Annie Sprinkle,111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA
How to Make New Friends, Mack B Gallery, Sarasota, FL
A Delicate Arrangement, Curated by Dan Cameron, David Zwirner Gallery, NYC, NY
Twenty Eyes curated by CANADA , Visual Arts Gallery, NYC, NY
2005
Antagonist Gallery, NYC,NY
2004
Wombat Love, Crossley Gallery, Sarasota, Florida
My Pretty Penis, Crossley Gallery, Sarasota, Florida
Chrome Sweet Chrome, Crossley Gallery, Sarasota, Florida (solo)
The Best Of…., Selby Gallery, Sarasota, Florida
The Joy Of Drawing, The Quay, Sarasota, Florida
2003
Control.Alt.Delete, Patterson House Alternative Space, Sarasota, Florida
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Studio LLC Fellowship, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning,2010
Make-up Artist for Praxis Studio: Dreams and Possibilities at The Whitney Museum of American Art at Altria, 2007
Visiting Artist Lecture, Ringling School of Art and Design,2006
Featured artist on David Bowie’s website,bowieart.com,2005
Crossley Gallery co- director, 2003-2004
Nicole S.
Fernandez