- Action Line by Brendan Fernandes
- Posts
- Did You See the Piece in the NY Times? It Got Me Thinking
Did You See the Piece in the NY Times? It Got Me Thinking
A quarterly review of media shaping my world. I share things I saw, I see and upcoming engagements where my work can be seen.
A quarterly review of media shaping my world. I share things I saw, I see and upcoming engagements where my work can be seen.
I recently spoke with The New York Times about my layered identity and its ties to the South Asian diaspora through my art practice. That conversation prompted me to reflect on “movement” both as the physical reality of migration and as a conceptual force within social and political spaces that shape individuals and communities. How does a single action grow into a movement, both physical and conceptual? How do hope and joy transform into conviction, fueling our visions of a better future? My work continually asks: what shapes where I have been, and how can those histories propel me forward?
My practice has always been about inviting others into the conversations I’m engaged in, creating space to encounter art at various stages of process. More and more, I see that process beginning with observations, clarity of thought, and responsiveness to the world around me.
With that spirit, I’m excited to share the first issue of Action Line, a new quarterly newsletter offering a glimpse into what motivates me and my work. I hope you’ll join me on this journey, and if you enjoy it, please feel free to pass it along.
ACTION LINE: ISOLATED TOGETHER
In a compelling exploration of diaspora and identity, the New York Times article "For South Asian Artists, Identity Doesn't Fit in a Box" examines how four contemporary South Asian artists are using their work to navigate complex cultural identities formed through historical migration. The artists featured include myself, Kelly Sinnapah Mary, Shivanjani Lal, and Ravelle Pillay.
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I identify as a Kenyan Indian Goan who is Canadian-slash-American. I'm also queer, a punk rocker, and a ballerina... People will say to me, 'Well, you're not African.' And I'm like, 'Why am I not African?' The continent of Africa is vast. It's not a monolithic space, but people try to put me into a very monolithic narrative.
ACTION LINE: LOCK EYES
It’s always striking to see what captures attention, and this list is a reminder of the broader idea of movement; a theme that runs through my own work as well as so much of contemporary art. From Lorna Simpson’s powerful narratives at the Met to Rashid Johnson’s vibrant takeover of the Guggenheim, it underscores how essential diverse voices and histories are in shaping the spaces we inhabit and the stories we share.
ACTION LINE: SET CHANGE
It’s exciting to see the Columbus Monument pedestal in Chicago’s Grant Park removed. This moment is not just about dismantling a statue, it’s about creating space, challenging entrenched narratives, and opening our public spaces to new forms of art, expression, and ideas. Change often comes with tension, but that tension is a vital catalyst for growth. It compels us to expand our capacity for building a more inclusive and equitable future.
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In 2024, I created an intervention titled New Monuments:Chicago.
The project challenged how we might begin to decolonize colonial monuments, reframing the ways they are seen, experienced, and remembered. By reimagining these sites, the work sought to open up space for new perspectives, voices, and narratives to be included, especially those historically left out of public commemoration.
Please visit the web site: becomethemonument.com
GRAB ATTENTION
2 posts that caught our eye
I’m looking forward to the Joffrey Ballet’s Fall opening. With their innovative artistry and bold vision, the company brings new life to one of the world’s most enduring stories: Carmen. This timeless tale follows a nomadic woman who defies societal norms and, through a tumultuous love affair with the soldier Don José, ultimately meets a tragic fate.
Please go see the show this October.
Congratulations to Naomi Beckwith on her leadership of Documenta 16, and for assembling the first all–female-identifying curatorial team that includes Carla Acevedo-Yates, Romi Crawford, Mayra A. Rodríguez Castro, and Xiaoyu Weng.
TWO NEW YORK MOMENTS
We hope you will share them with us.