Gavin Bernard

Gavin Bernard is a designer and larger-scale installation artist. Of Jamaican heritage, he has called Atlanta home for 25 years, where he has worked in many different creative industries. He is interested in the power of subtlety. His multi-layered geometric installations are rooted in repetition, magnifying singular, small details to create expansive sculptures. Bernard’s work is interested in an unfolding of meaning over time. Beauty is the primary, accessible entry point into the work, while encouraging deeper discovery through repeated interfacing. As the work is altered by natural elements, so too does the viewer’s perception of space, time, and self evolve.

Patricia Hernandez

Patricia Hernandez is a self-taught, LATINE/X indigenous diaspora contemporary artist and owner of 'PATL.SV' based in Atlanta, GA. Her artwork and illustrations is a fusion of her cultural background and life experiences, incorporating a diverse range of elements to create colorful, vibrant paintings that celebrate her culture, ancestry, single parenting journey, immigrant experience and Mental Health. Patricia's art incorporates traditional elements and shapes, often portraying strong women and highlighting social justice issues. Her work blends traditional painting techniques with a modern sensibility, creating abstract compositions that are both visually striking and emotionally evocative.

Guianos Quetzalcoatl, 2023

Patricia Hernandez

Guianos Quetzalcoatl is a profound reflection of my journey, one marked by discovering and embracing my identity as a Meztiza deeply connected to my Mayan ancestry. This artistic expression captures the essence of my life, which has been characterized by constant change and learning, both within and beyond the city I've called home for the past 19 years.

Atlanta, to me, is not just a city; it's a gateway and a catalyst for personal growth and inspiration. It has empowered me to be vocal about my creative interpretations and to share my experiences with my community. This piece, Guianos Quetzalcoatl, embodies this sentiment.

At the heart of this artwork is Quetzalcoatl, the god of life, presented in an indigenous human form. It symbolizes the fusion of cultures and traditions that have shaped our history. Our ancestors were subjected to colonization and, in the process, redefined their faith and traditions. These adaptations have become integral to our culture, influencing our social interactions and way of life today.

In the image, you can observe the vibrant folklore, the children representing our future, and the resilience of holding onto one's roots. Brookhaven, intricately linked with Buford Highway, holds a special place in my background. It contains fragments of every immigrant who has made this area their home, each contributing a piece of their heritage. This amalgamation is reflected in the richness of our food, the diversity of our markets, and the strength of our community. Together, we integrate and become an essential part of Atlanta.

Guíanos Quetzalcóatl es un reflejo profundo de mi viaje, uno marcado por descubrir y abrazar mi identidad como Meztiza profundamente conectada con mi ascendencia Maya. Esta expresión artística captura la esencia de mi vida, que se ha caracterizado por el cambio constante y el aprendizaje, tanto dentro como fuera de la ciudad que he llamado hogar durante los últimos 19 años.

Atlanta, para mí, no es solo una ciudad; es una puerta de entrada y un catalizador para el crecimiento personal y la inspiración. Me ha empoderado para expresar mis interpretaciones creativas y compartir mis experiencias con mi comunidad. Esta pieza, Guíanos Quetzalcóatl, encarna este sentimiento.

En el corazón de esta obra de arte está Quetzalcóatl, el dios de la vida, presentado en una forma humana indígena. Simboliza la fusión de culturas y tradiciones que han dado forma a nuestra historia. Nuestros antepasados fueron sometidos a la colonización y, en el proceso, redefinieron su fe y tradiciones. Estas adaptaciones se han convertido en parte integral de nuestra cultura, influyendo en nuestras interacciones sociales y forma de vida actual.

En la imagen, se puede observar el folclore vibrante, los niños que representan nuestro futuro y la resistencia de aferrarse a las raíces. Brookhaven, intrínsecamente vinculado con Buford Highway, ocupa un lugar especial en mi experiencia. Contiene fragmentos de cada inmigrante que ha hecho de esta área su hogar, cada uno contribuyendo con una parte de su patrimonio. Esta amalgama se refleja en la riqueza de nuestros alimentos, la diversidad de nuestros mercados y la fortaleza de nuestra comunidad. Juntos, nos integramos y nos convertimos en una parte esencial de Atlanta.

Palimpsest, 2023

Gavin Bernard

Palimpsest uses color-blocking and light to create vignettes as abstract interpretations of the diversity that exists in Brookhaven and surrounding neighborhoods. Photos taken from the neighborhoods become the inspiration and blueprints for each vignette, reflecting a collage of colors on the pavement below.

Palimpsest is interested in how we intersect the old with the new, how change occurs in neighborhoods over time, and the imperative to honor and preserve the history and legacy of our neighborhoods in the feverish march towards new development.

Palimpsesto utiliza el bloqueo de color y la luz para crear viñetas a manera de interpretaciones abstractas de la diversidad que existe en Brookhaven y los vecindarios circundantes. Las fotos tomadas desde los vecindarios se convierten en la inspiración y los planos de cada viñeta, reflejando un collage de colores en el pavimento.

Palimpsesto se centra en cómo se entrelaza lo viejo con lo nuevo, cómo se produce el cambio en los vecindarios a lo largo del tiempo y el imperativo que es honrar y preservar la historia y el legado de nuestros vecindarios en la marcha febril hacia el nuevo desarrollo.