Interview by Kiera Dennis-Espinal
When making these pieces did you have trouble with expressions or how you wanted them to be portrayed?
When I was creating these pieces, I did struggle at times with how I wanted the viewer to engage with them. Of course, everyone brings their own perspective, but I wanted the message to come through clearly, without relying too heavily on the words. It was important to me that the visuals carried the weight of the story, not the captions or descriptions. That’s why, in “El Mojado”, I chose to let the image speak for itself. I believe there’s a quiet strength in that piece; the image alone holds the story. I really wanted to honor and highlight the lives of the hardworking people in my city. People whose stories are often overlooked or misunderstood.
I’m assuming you plan to have your work displayed in a bigger setting. What are some places you have had a goal of displaying your work, if any?
I would love for my work to be displayed in a bigger setting one day, but at the end of the day, what matters most to me is connection. If even one person looks at my piece and thinks, I’ve lived that, or I feel seen, then my heart is full. The work isn’t just about being in galleries or museums, it’s about being seen by the people I’m creating it for. If the communities I’m representing don’t get to experience the work, then it loses its meaning. Everything I do is to give visibility to those often overlooked and to bring awareness to the shadows of New York. Our city is beautiful, and people come from all over the world to enjoy it, but there are also people living here every day, working hard, carrying quiet stories that rarely get attention. If they don’t get to see the beauty in their own struggles reflected in the art, then what’s the point of having it in a prestigious space? My biggest goal is for my fellow New Yorkers, especially those whose stories aren’t often told, to see themselves in my work and feel that they matter.
What is the meaning of your artworks? It would be better if it doesn’t repeat the information from the bio exactly but if you happen to do that then it is fine.
My work is deeply influenced by my experiences as a child of immigrants, which leads me to explore themes of identity and displacement. I focus on the emotional spaces between both of my cultures. Through my art, I seek to capture both the strength and vulnerability inherent in those in-between moments, where memory, resilience, and cultural inheritance shape who we are. I aim to create works that not only reflect these personal narratives but also resonate with broader themes of migration and belonging. My hope is that these pieces evoke a sense of connection, offering viewers a glimpse into the often complex and quiet stories that go unnoticed in daily life.
Fernanda Contreras, a child of immigrants, uses her art to express her experiences and passionately advocate for immigrant-related issues. At 14, she moved from Queens to Georgia and was shocked by the lack of diversity she experienced. Through storytelling, she sheds light on the struggles and resilience of immigrant communities in her home, New York City. Her work has been showcased at the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition during the Dogwood Festival and mentioned in the Newnan Times-Herald.
