CV
Brittany Ferns
Painting & Mixed Media.
b. Sydney Australia. 1988.
Lives and works in Newcastle
NSW, Australia
@brittany.ferns
brittanyfernsart@gmail.com
words by Joey Hespe
Artist Bio
Brittany Ferns draws inspiration from the captivating landscapes that surround her, translating the essence of everyday moments into compelling visual narratives. Born to a Uruguayan mother and an Australian father - her work reflects her deep curiosity about different cultures and her passion for exploration.
A pivotal chapter in Brittany's oeuvre unfolded during a transformative year-long expedition through Mexico and Guatemala, alongside her husband and two children, Zali and Edie. Motivated by a desire to immerse herself in cultural richness, Brittany sought to learn Spanish and expose her children to a diversity of life experiences. This voyage became a catalyst for her artistic evolution, bringing a deeper understanding of traditional crafts and methods of creation to her work.
Before transitioning to a career in painting, Brittany honed her skills as a textile designer in the fashion industry, working in Los Angeles. Intrigued by the prospect of collaborating with artisans worldwide and exploring traditional crafting techniques, her dream found realization during her travels. In Teotitlan Del Valle, Mexico, Brittany collaborated with a third-generation weaving family to craft an exclusive collection of handmade and hand-dyed weavings. This immersive experience expanded her artistic horizons and enriched her understanding of traditional methods.
Brittany's distinctive style is characterized by a thoughtful interplay of materials, layering, fabrics, and textures. The meticulous preparation of her canvas involves using robust, Australian-made wood panels adorned with 450gsm Belgian linen, fabrics, plasters, and Japanese rice papers. Each element contributes to the unique and imperfect aesthetic that defines her work.
In her artistic process, Brittany embraces the ebb and flow of life, allowing it to guide her creative expression. This fluid approach results in artwork that not only captures the essence of her surroundings but also reflects the dynamic interplay between cultural influences and personal experiences. Brittany Ferns' art is an immersive journey, where each piece invites viewers to explore the intricate tapestry of her life and the vibrant cultures that shape her identity.
Brittany Ferns is Australian artist based in Newcastle, NSW.
Artist statement
Hailing from the Newcastle region of NSW, Brittany Ferns has long gravitated towards the landscapes of her surroundings. She has an affection for the humble, every day moments captured from day to day life. This imbued realism is evident in her work. A street vendor selling fruit, a man holding flowers.
The faces of those who pass her in the street serve as her subject, but also inform her practice. More recently the nature of her immediate environment, the backyard and the simple beauty of the flowers within it. Once the subject is decided the delicate dance of texture, shape and material is found. Flat planed cubist subjects stare from her canvases, as if plastered to a street wall or shopfront. Recurring motifs remain, while still life’s explore a connection to place.
Her philosophy embodies themes of ephemerality and time, she encapsulates the idea of the past informing the future. Her figures echo the frescoes of ancient civilizations and this idea extends to her use of materials. It’s these materials that give her work its layered significance; raw pigments are mixed with plasters, waxes and mineral dusts to impose narratives of history and time.
To Ferns, the idea of the Japanese Wabi-Sabi philosophy is paramount – that there is beauty in imperfection; nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.
The artist, Brittany Ferns
Hailing from the Newcastle Region of NSW, Brittany Ferns has long gravitated towards the landscapes of her surroundings. She has an affliction for the humble, every day moments captured from day to day life. This imbued realism is evident in her work. A street vendor selling fruit, a man holding flowers.
The faces of those who pass her in the street serve as her subject, but also inform her practice. More recently the nature of her immediate environment, the backyard and the simple beauty of the flowers within it. Once the subject is decided the delicate dance of texture, shape and material is found. Flat planed cubist subjects stare from her canvases, as if plastered to a street wall or shopfront.
Recurring motifs remain, while still life’s explore a connection to place.
Her philosophy embodies themes of ephemerality and time, she encapsulates the idea of the past informing the future. Her figures echo the frescoes of ancient civilizations and this idea extends to her use of materials. It’s these materials that give her work its layered significance; raw pigments are mixed with plasters, waxes and mineral dusts to impose narratives of history and time.
To Ferns, the idea of the Japanese Wabi-Sabi philosophy is paramount – that there is beauty in imperfection; nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.