About
Participants will explore the history and cultural significance of festival banners as highlighted in Patrick Fernandez’s Learning Centre Residency. This workshop asks participants to express personal stories, treasured memories, aspirations, and reflections on gratitude through the creation of banderitas. A banderita is a small colourful flag. When strung together they create a banner and are part of many festivals in the Philippines. Each individual banderita will serve as its own art object and will also be strung together to create a collaborative community banner to be displayed in the Learning Centre with the artist’s work.
During the workshop, participants will learn a range of exciting, practical techniques, such as painting and printmaking, suitable for all skill levels.
Age range: All are welcome. Children 12 and under need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians are exempt from the registration fee.
Cost: $15*
* The MacKenzie Art Gallery is committed to removing barriers to participation. Pay-what-you-can registration is available. To access these spots, please contact Ken Duczek, Coordinator of Learning Initiatives, at kduczek@mackenzie.art or call 584-4250 ext. 4290. We are happy to register you at a workshop rate that works for you.
Photographer Disclosure
Please be advised that a professional photographer will be capturing images during this event for promotional and marketing purposes. By attending, you acknowledge that photographs and/or video footage of you may be taken and potentially used in future materials. Additionally, release waivers will be provided at the event. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact Angela Lackey, Communications Coordinator, at alackey@mackenzie.art. Thank you for your cooperation.
Artist Biography
Patrick Fernandez is a contemporary visual artist based in Regina, Saskatchewan. Originally from Pangasinan, Philippines, he creates vibrant paintings that incorporate symbolism and reimagine folklore imagery to tell stories. His artwork reflects his personal experiences with displacement and adaptation, using these circumstances as pivotal moments for growth.
His process begins with gathering news clippings of current events, taking notes, and conducting research on places and social and ecological issues. He draws heavily from Philippine folklore, customs, traditions, and idioms, often finding inspiration in selected elements and symbolic references from these sources. The Philippines has a rich native culture that offers limitless inspiration, which he translates into his art-making. He connects these references to more universal themes, intertwining them with contemporary experiences and his perspective as an immigrant.
By using repeated patterns to express feelings of displacement, Patrick creates ornate surfaces built up through numerous layers of paint application. He juxtaposes visual elements to generate a sense of organized chaos. His imagery aims to stimulate audiences’ understanding of the socio-political issues embedded in his works. Through art, his goal is to create new meaning, provoke thought, engage with audiences, and encourage dialogue. Website: www.patzfernandez.com
