Ben Fernandez
My latest solo exhibition at the Bridgewater Library in my hometown of Bridgewater, New Jersey, on view from Tuesday, April 29—Thursday, May 29, 2025.
My recent solo exhibition in the studio bay at Visceglia Arts Center at Caldwell University in Caldwell, New Jersey, on view from Monday, December 9—Sunday, December 16, 2024.
Pictured is the top portion of my mixed media work, "Awaken", which was selected for the front cover of the 2023 issue of "Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry." This piece was created as part of my "Transcendence" series, which in itself is a creative accompaniment to the scholarly paper for my Honors Project at Caldwell University, "Discovering the Spiritual in Contemporary Visual Art", for which I passed with distinction in the spring of 2023.
My latest solo exhibition at the Bridgewater Library in my hometown of Bridgewater, New Jersey, on view from Tuesday, April 29—Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Ben Fernandez (b. 2001) is a mixed media artist based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. He graduated summa cum laude, with Honors, from Caldwell University with a B.F.A. in Studio Art with a concentration in mixed media, and a minor in Art History.
In August 2019, at 18 years old, Fernandez participated in his first studio residency and group gallery exhibition through the Sol Studio program at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, N.J. His work was purchased by—and currently resides at—ESKFF (Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation) NEST, an artist retreat center in Woodstock, New York.
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Since the fall of 2021, Fernandez's work has additionally been featured in solo exhibitions, as well as group exhibitions, at galleries and community venues throughout New Jersey. His most recent solo shows include Imagine (Summer 2022–present), Transcendence (Spring 2023), Be Still (Summer 2023–present), Transfiguration (April 2024), Inner Spirit (June 2024), and Culmination (December 2024). Among the group exhibitions in which his work has been included are the Manville Arts Council (MAC) 2024 Expo at the Manville Public Library in May 2024, Peace/Conflict at Nails in the Wall Gallery at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Metuchen from September–December 2024, and 3{three}: the exhibit at Nails in the Wall Gallery from February–May 2025. His current work explores his deepening interests in spirituality and other universal topics.​
Alongside his own artistic practice and shows, Fernandez has emerging gallery curatorial and organizational experience. He has curated a traveling exhibition of watercolor paintings and colored pastel drawings by the late Isabella Neufeld since the summer of 2023. At the Mueller Gallery at Caldwell University, he was the assistant curator of a group faculty exhibition, Inspire 2023, from September–October 2023; and two solo visiting artist exhibitions, including Sarah Canfield's Reverb: Imagining the Invisible from October–November 2023 and Steve Rossi's Prior Appropriation (with Robbie Wing) in February 2024. Fernandez facilitated artist talks during the openings of both Inspire 2023 and Prior Appropriation. He then wrote an essay for the catalog of a fall 2024 solo exhibition featuring visiting artist Nick Lamia. As the culmination of his work with the Mueller Gallery, he curated and organized all aspects of Connexum: Caldwell University Kappa Pi 2025 Alumni & Student Exhibition, a group exhibition featuring alumni and students from Caldwell's Iota Epsilon chapter of Kappa Pi, the international art Honors society, for February 2025. As an alumnus of Kappa Pi, he was among the exhibiting artists. He additionally facilitated the opening of the show, including the artist talk and reception.
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Fernandez's artwork has been showcased in publications including Under One Sky: Leaping Letters (2019), a picture book distributed to Rwandan schoolchildren; the N.J. Department of Human Services 2020 Calendar; the 2023 issue of Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry; the 2023 and 2024 issues of Calyx, the literary journal of Caldwell University; and multiple issues (2023–24) of the Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey.​
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The numerous art accolades that Fernandez has received include a first-place state award in Logo Design from New Jersey Future Business Leaders of America (March 2019), and a second-place state award in Digital Art presented at the New Jersey State House in Trenton (May 2019).​
Artist Statement
I am a mixed media artist who is deeply interested in the visceral and emotional. Employing a wide variety of materials, I seek to break boundaries of creativity, dimension, and communication. My preference not to settle with one medium or approach renders every project a unique experience, each with exciting ideas, risks, and discoveries.
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My art establishes a connection between myself and viewers of all backgrounds, enabling them to engage with my work and gain insights to contemplate and act upon in their own lives. In response to the ongoing situation of division, unrest, and conflict faced by my emerging generation, I am compelled to draw attention to important, universal topics and issues concerning humanity. I believe that art, whether evoking a sense of comfort and peace or feelings of unease and confrontation, is a way into the soul and a vehicle through which one can ignite a spark of personal transformation that empowers each of us to connect with others on a common level.
For inquiries regarding interest in my work, please feel free to contact me via email at:
bejafe-art@yahoo.com