Gabe Fernandez
For the month of September, Russo Lee Gallery presents New Bearings, an exhibition of paintings by Gabe Fernandez. Exploring transition and adjustment through his continued engagement with familiar subjects, Fernandez states, “Constant change is inevitable, and I have experienced a significant amount of change recently.” Known for his representational and photorealistic paintings of everyday objects, architecture, interiors, and vehicles, Fernandez uses carefully observed light, color, shadow, and composition to give ordinary subjects a distinct sense of presence. While his paintings have traditionally depicted unoccupied spaces, several works in New Bearings introduce figures, bringing a human element to his compositions. Through these subtle shifts, Fernandez considers how changes in circumstances can reshape our experience of place and perception.
Gabe Fernandez was born in Caldwell, Idaho, and raised in Sweet Home, Oregon. He received his BFA in Painting from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in 1999 and spent many years living and working in Portland before relocating to Astoria, Oregon. Fernandez’s work has been exhibited extensively throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, as well as nationally, and his artistic practice and work has been featured on OPB’s Oregon Art Beat. His work is held in numerous private and public collections, including the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, the Portland Art Museum, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, and the City of Portland.