Henry Fernandes Exhibition at Colborne Street Gallery
L to R; Henry Fernandes, Big Bird No. 2, acrylic on canvas, 31.5 x 25.5, $1,100 | Henry Fernandes, Hopeful Gardener, acrylic on canvas, 41.5 x 31.5, $1,200 | Henry Fernandes, Ziggy's Jungle, acrylic on canvas, 37.5 x 49.5, $2,100Henry Fernandes, Some Days
June 6 - August 4, 2025
Join us for the reception Saturday, July 5th from 2-4 p.m.
Stepping into Henry Fernandes’ lakeside studio is like entering a vivid dreamscape. Since the 1980s, his walls have come alive with vibrant paintings populated by curious characters and layered narratives. Whether exploring political tensions, quiet humour, or inner peace, Fernandes’ work invites reflection.
A quiet force, Fernandes embodies the thoughtful introspection described in Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts, and her reference to them as ‘thinkers’. He creates methodically: selecting ideas scribbled on Post-it notes, tuning in to CBC or listening to jazz, and translating his inner world into colour and form. His introversion is a form of retreat, however, it’s so much more than that, it’s depth, clarity, and intention. His naming conventions are thematic representations often a clever or whimsical pun providing the viewer a clue into the intended meaning.
Through a myriad of flora, fauna, and figuration, his artistic aesthetic intrigues and draws the viewer in for a close examination of colour, movement, and storytelling. Masks appear frequently in his art—not just as objects but as metaphors. They conceal and reveal, echoing the layered personas we present to the world. This fascination taps into a broader art historical tradition, yet in Fernandes’ hands, they become deeply personal.
Born in 1940 in Spanish Harlem, his childhood was spent wandering Central Park, pouring over the pages of National Geographic, and taking solo visits to the American Museum of Natural History. These formative experiences still pulse through his work: an ongoing dialogue between wonder, memory, and imagination.
Fernandes studied Animation Design at the School of Visual Arts, graduating in 1965. He went on to shape a rich career in animation and illustration—co-founding a New York animation company, winning a Cannes Golden Lion, and contributing to Sesame Street and The Electric Company for a decade. One of his film spots now resides in the film library at the MoMA.
After relocating to Toronto and later settling near Buckhorn, Ontario, Fernandes continued painting and illustrating several children’s books. His work has been exhibited at The Gladstone Hotel, Kent Farndale Gallery, Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) and the AGP Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour. A longstanding participant in Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, he remains a vital voice in Canadian contemporary art—quiet, but resonant.
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