Martha Fernandez b.

Also known as Martha Volonté
  • Artist ,
  • Artist (Ceramist),
  • Artist (Mixed Media Artist),
  • Maker (Jewellery Designer),
  • Artist (Painter)
Martha Fernandez (née Volonté) was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, South America. Her oeuvre includes mosaics, ceramic artworks, paintings and mixed media works. Fernandez has assisted in the management of art programs in Western Sydney. She teaches courses on general craft, silk painting and pottery.
creator of
[Redevelopment of Miller Park]
Date

In progress. Miller Street Art Gallery Square, Miller, NSW. Banners and posts will be placed in the square with an 11.7m wall with mosaic decoration. The wall will have four windows.

 
creator of
[Painting tiles and mosaic]
Date

After School Care Heckenberg Public school for Heckenberg Community garden at the Heckenberg Community Centre.

 
creator of
[Community mosaic project Warwick Farm C. Centre]
Date

Funded by Liverpool TAFE (Outreach) and Liverpool Council. Centre created with local residents to create a more uplifting environment. Tiles promoted desirable values including words in their design. Some word included 'Friendship’, 'Caring’ and 'Understanding’.

 
creator of
[Redevelopment of Heckenberg and Miller Park]
Date

Mosaic and paves for community garden. 2009-In progress. Miller Park 11.7m wall Part of a project to redevelop Heckenberg and Miller Park.

 
creator of
[Painting Tiles and Mosaic for Mural]
Date

Fernandez was the artist facilitator for this project designed for Anglicare Community Garden at Sadlier, Sydney, NSW.

 
creator of
[Mosaic Mixed media project, Fairfield Hospital]
Date

Over 55 Cultural Groups were involved to breakdown isolation in the community. Fairfield Hospital and MARS Organised the exhibition at Fairfield Hospital and local libraries.

 
creator of
[Mosaic Work at Hilwa Park, Villawood]
Date
URL
http://www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/default.asp?iDocID=6705&iNavCatID=115&iSubCatID=2159

Worked with children and mentally disabled people in Fairfield community to create colourful ceramic tiles for the pathway and benches. Inspiration was derived from what they saw in the garden. Part of the project involved local indigenous community to commemorate them as the traditional custodians of the land (the Cabrogal people). Includes colourful mosaic bench and pathway.

 
creator of
[Textile & painting artworks for South West Sydney Carers]
Date

The project involved carers in the South West Sydney area from different cultural groups that have relatives with mental illnesses. Under the guidance of Fernandez, they painted on fabric panels (approximately 1m X 1.5m) to collaboratively form a tree of life. After completion, the textile works were used in a coverbook for carers in various hospitals in South West Sydney. It was a program that aimed to provide some healing or relaxation for these carers.

 
creator of
[Re-Use, Art project Fairfield area]
Date

(2006/2008). Art project that encorporated workshops where Fernandez worked with many different cultural groups in the area creating awareness to recycle materials. It has been an ongoing project that Fernandez plans to continue in the future. Some groups used old cardboard boxes to create picture frames with artworks inside and other groups embellished callico bags. In the latter workshop, participants wer encouraged to bring a plastic bag that they would then swap with a callico bag and taught how to embellish. A competition was held for all the participants- the most sucessful then being displayed in the Fairfield Hospital Gallery. Fernandez participated in this project in addition to taking the workshops. Funded by Fairfield City Council.

 
creator of
[Family Table Game]
Date

Community Artists (namely from the Arts for Health program Fairfield Hospital) were involved in developing a board game made from canvas that explores issues related to mental illness. Design Students from University of Technology Sydney also aided in the final design process.

 
creator of
Wall of Peace
Date

Mural in the courtyard of Liverpool Hospital coordinated by Fernandez and under the mentorship of Marily Cintra. Fernandez worked with five new arrival community artists from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Bosnia, Ethiopia from the Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre. The mural depicts images from around the world, celebrating Liverpool area’s colourful cultural presence.

 
creator of
Tree of Life
Date

A Three dimensional work for Liverpool Hospital visitor waiting room Level 4 and 5. Made of papier-mâché with a 50+ group of CARE volunteers from the Cultural and Artistic Enrichment Program.

 
creator of
[Multicultural Toys]
Date

CARE Volunteers were involved with this project as part of their Cultural and Artistic Enrichment Program. People from a range of cultural backgrounds were invited to participate in creating toys from their traditional heritage. Displayed in hospitals in South Western Sydney, NSW.

 
creator of
[Good Tiding]
Date

Fernandez was the coordinator of this project that involved older refugees and migrants from the Cook Islands, Vietnam, Maltese and Latin America. It focused on their experiences and memories from their homeland, documented in the form of suitcases with objects inside. This artwork and exhibition was funded by the Australian Council.