Brendan Fernandes

Often drawing on post-colonialist theory, Brendan Fernandes’ work investigates the concepts of cultural identity and authenticity, and highlights the complexities of such terms in the context of globalization. His work has examined Western notions of an exotic Africa (Fernandes was born in and spent the first nine years of his life in Kenya) as well as how culture is disseminated in the Western world. In his recent exhibition entitled Pray For Us, a two-channel video piece examines ideas of hegemony and power structures through traits of hyena societies, while a multi-channel video installation explores feelings of loss, memorial and uncertainty. Born in Kenya of Indian heritage, Brendan Fernandes immigrated to Canada in the 1990s. He completed the Independent Study Program of the Whitney Museum of American Art, and earned his MFA from The University of Western Ontario and his BFA from York University in Canada. He has exhibited internationally, including invitations to participate in The Third Guangzhou Triennial, Guangzhou, China (2008) and the Western New York Biennial through The Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, NY (2007). Currently he is based between Toronto and New York.