David Fernandez

BFA ’21 Ceramics and a concentration in Painting and Drawing

Artist Statement:

“Layers to Humanity”

Through the traditional practice of portraiture, artists have sought to honor both the physicality and personality of their subjects.

My personal interest in portraiture began as a quest for mastery in this genre. As an artist, my efforts to accurately capture the life within my subjects are matched by my driving desire to portray the layers of humanity I have come to associate with each one of these faces.

I began by drawing myself and then switched to loved ones close to me. On July 12th, one of my best friends, Joseph Bozart passed away just a few months before his 31st birthday. The Bozarts had welcomed me into their family from a young age, and I found myself devastated not only by the loss of Joey, but by the massive grief shared by his family. The pain of loss is at times overwhelming, however in the months following Joseph’s passing I have been constantly inspired by the strength of this family I feel so close to.

The portraits of Joseph feature memories and moments from my second family and seek to honor the character and strength of the subjects. This process of creating has been monumental in helping me with my own grief. My hope is that through viewing these works, the Bozarts will feel the love and respect I have for them when my words feel insufficient.

“Ocean Within”

I have always been enamored by the worlds that exist within the ocean and its surroundings.
“Ocean Within” reflects my fascination with the sea, and all the creatures within. This body of work is intended as an exploration of the beauty and diversity of marine environment, both realistic and imagined. The forms and shapes of these pieces remind the viewer of the ocean. Creatures of the water enhance some of these vessels, while others feature abstracted and fluid forms of nature. My different approaches to textures are reminiscent of the visual and physical aspects of the ocean and its surroundings.
The pieces featured are calm at times, and at others playful. Viewed together, I hope that this body of work can serve as a way for me to share my appreciation for the complex and beautiful nature of the ocean.

Biography:
David Fernandez is a painter and ceramicist from Wilmington NC that uses his work to celebrate his love for the ocean and people that are close to him. He does this through the utilization of traditional painting, drawing and sculpture allowing him a unique expression of appreciation, comfort and grief. His hope is that his paintings will provide a sentimental form of comfort for those dealing with loss and for his ceramic work to serve as a form of gratitude for the sea.