Bryan Fernandez
Bio
Bryan Fernandez is a first and second-generation Afro-Dominican-American mixed-media assemblage artist from Washington Heights, New York City, with lived experiences from other sites of his diaspora as well. He holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts with a minor in Creative Writing.His works have been exhibited across North America, including institutions such as The Shed in New York, New York, NewImage Art Gallery in Los Angeles, California, and art fairs such as MECA art fair in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Untitled Art Fair in Miami, Florida. Fernandez’s work can also be found in the X Museum collection in Beijing, China, The City University of New York, Dominican Studies Institute JSTOR Archive of Dominican-American Artists, and a variety of private collections across the world. He is a two-time Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grantee and has an upcoming solo exhibition “En Transito Pt.1” at the International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP) in 2026, as well as participation in the upcoming Bronx AIM biennial in the Bronx Museum (TBD).
Artist Statement
‘It’s one thing to be looked at, and another to be seen.”, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Open Water
The visibility of his people is what Fernandez’s practice centers on. As an Afro-Dominican, he observed the lack of representation of his heritage in contemporary and historical narratives. Those being black representation covering Washington Heights or of historical communities such as El Monte. Community of free Afro-Dominicans found within the rural parts of the country. Current narratives involve maintaining an emphasis on prioritizing voices and stories that uphold Eurocentric and colonial values. For this reason, he focuses on creating pieces to capture who his people are, to be seen. Constructing an Archive of his people’s marginalized history