German Fernandez’s second solo exhibition “The Journey Man II: In The Name of The Father” opened today at FN Designs. Curated by H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, the founder and director of FN Designs, the exhibition will be on until 8th May 2016.

Speaking at the opening, H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, said, “In contrast to German Fernandez’s first solo exhibition, ‘The Journey Man II’ is about ‘The City’ as well as identity and mental construction of character. It is about a place where the permanent search for identity takes place, where the pursuit for meaning becomes essential. We are proud to support this exhibition that brings to the fore the unexpected giving viewers an engaging experience.”

Fernandez has almost taken out most of the animal faced characters that represented an alien environment and an alien world back in 2013. Now the journey takes us to the question: ‘After you have found yourself; What else is possible?’

Elaborating on the exhibition’s theme, German Fernandez, who is an accomplished artist, said, “’The Journey Man II: In The Name of The Father’, presents scenes of imagined masked characters in an imagined urban reality that we call ‘The City’. As this imaginary world, designed to be in balance, is unable to reach a clear definition by the imperfect set up of one or more of its elements; the process of communication and the quest for meaning becomes crucial. Each of the compositions reuses traditional symbols and imagery, merging it to create the visual incarnation of this alternate reality that we call ‘The City’.

He further added, “’The City’ is a place where we try to reconstruct some meanings of our reality, defining and classifying that imaginary world, giving it meaning, as we struggle to do with the real world. The masks, that most of the characters wear, serves as a reminder, that the process for identity is never completed. Like history, identity is in the process of constant redefinition”.

Between 2013 and 2016 Fernandez participated in various group exhibitions in Dubai; while taking time to rationalize the meaning of the first show. His approach to his artwork remains the same through imagery and figurative drawings, as his characters interact with each other. His inspiration came from 19th century books and illustrations, as he explores the treatment of light and shade using charcoal, pens, inks and acrylics within his works. The use of various mediums in his work plays an important role, as it is his way of expression and elaborating with textures. His use of cardboard allows the works to have rough and unfinished compositions such as the irregular borders against the controlled drawings.

The preview of the exhibition was held on Monday, 14 February from 5.30pm to 9.30pm at FN Designs sprawling gallery located in Unit 26 in Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz 1 in Dubai and was attended by a select group of art lovers.
FN Designs Timings: 10 am to 6pm from Sunday to Thursday