ABOUT:
Trina Fernandez is a visual artist using elements of photo and design to sift through our social and digital milieu. Afflicted with a great depression, Trina uses humor and nostalgia to overindulge in complex 21st century feelings. Heightened imagery, scrutinized text, and feigned skill examine the lives we lead under excess and what we're willing to do to experience genuine connection.
Trina holds a BA in Photography and an MFA in Visual Studies. Research on our lives online and through social images have been presented at PCA/ACA, SECAC, and the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. Visual research has been published by Birchwood Palace Industries.
#SocietyOfTheSpectacle #Maximalism #GeorgesBatille #LifeOfExcess #Punk #SørenKierkegaard #MediumIsTheMessage #SocialImage
Education:
2021 MFA in Visual Studies, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
2013 BA in Photography, California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, CA
Grants/Awards:
2022 Minnesota State Arts Board Grant, Minneapolis, MN
2020 MFA Merit Scholarship, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
2019 MCAD Trustees Scholarship, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
2017 Beacon: Sacramento Reproduction Week, Featured Artist, Sacramento, CA
Fellowships:
2021 Minnesota Center for Book Arts MCAD Collegiate Fellowship, Minneapolis, MN
Solo Exhibitions:
2020 FANS ONLY!11!, Minneapolis College of Art and Design Suitcase Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2020 Decathexis, Minneapolis College of Art and Design Library Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2020 2020 Quarantine: 100 Days of Space, Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
Group Exhibitions:
2023 Acme Collective Paradox, curated by Alexandra Beaumont, Minneapolis, MN
2022 Get Lucky 2022, Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
2021 Put it In The Chat, Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
2021 MCAD MFA Thesis Exhibit, Minneapolis College of Art and Design MFA Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2021 The Temporary Institute of Early Art, Pancake House, Minneapolis, MN
2020 Fall Show 2020, Minneapolis College of Art and Design Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2020 Untitled 16, Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
2020 The Body Embodied, Gallery 148, Minneapolis, MN
2019 Unbound: MFA Reading Library, Minneapolis College of Art and Design Library Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2019 Break Every Rule, Minneapolis College of Art and Design MFA Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2018 Girls Night Out, Broad Room, Sacramento, CA
2018 the aZn room, the aZn room, Sacramento, CA
2018 Sac Open Studios Exhibition, Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento, CA
2017 Nasty Women Sacramento, Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento, CA
2017 Beacon: Sacramento Reproduction Week, Sacramento CA
2012 CSUS Spring Show, California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, CA
2012 Generalizasian, The Raymond Witt Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Lectures/Talks:
2023 Center of Photography for Non-Photographers, panelist, PCA/ACA Conference, San Antonio, TX
2021 Do It Yourself/Hang In There Baby, artist talk, Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
2021 Social Media and The New Banal Photo, panelist, PCA/ACA Conference, Virtual
2021 2021 MCAD Commencement, speaker, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
2021 MCAD MFA Thesis Exhibit, artist talk, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
2021 Health Humanities in Times of Crisis, panelist, Smart Museum of Art University of Chicago, Virtual
2021 I Went To Art School and All I Got Was A Pandemic, moderator, Gallery 148, Minneapolis, MN
2020 Keeping Us Conformed: A Brief History on The Punk Zine, panelist, SECAC, Richmond, VA
2020 2020 Quarantine: 100 Days of Space, artist talk, Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
2020 The Body Embodied, artist talk, Gallery 148, Minneapolis, MN
Classes/Workshops:
2023 Instructor: Center of Photography for Non-Photographers
2021 Workshop Lead: Soundtracking and Playlist Making with Trina
2020 Teaching Assistant: Walking as Artistic Practice
2019 Teaching Assistant: Critical Studies
2012 Teaching Assistant: Alternative Process Photography
Artist Books/Zines:
2023 Vickies.Online
2022 Do It Yourself/Hang In There Baby (2nd pr, Birchwood Palace Industries)
2021 Do It Yourself/Hang In There Baby (1st pr, Birchwood Palace Industries)
2021 How My Lovers Sleep
2021 Le Journee de Mannequin
2021 Evidence of Evidence
2021 Special Collections: I Wrote You a Letter and Turned It Into Art Instead of Giving It To You, Sorry
2021 Don't Worry, I'll Be Leaving Soon (Print Edition)
2020 Mary Is Gonna Lose It Anyway
2020 Do It Yourself/Hang In There Baby (self-published)
2019 Let's Go On a Date!
2019 Chimps'n'shit
2018 The Jerk Off
2018 Hire Me, You Mother Fucker
Print Media:
2023 Get Lucky: Soo Visual Arts Center Annual Auction, save the date and brochure
2020 The Globs, The Weird and Wonderful World of The Globs, album cover photograph and insert
2015 Shark Sandwich, Self Titled, album cover photograph
2015 Shoujo Kitten, Self Titled, album cover collage
2013 Rad, Self Titled, album cover photograph
2012 David Kulczyk, California Fruits, Flakes & Nuts: True Tales of California Crazies, Crackpots and Creeps, author portrait
Curation:
2021 I Went To Art School and All I Got Was A Pandemic, Gallery 148, Minneapolis, MN
Permanent Collections:
2022 Minnesota Center for Book Arts Artist Book Collection, Minneapolis, MN
2021 MCAD Library Artist Books and Zine collection, Minneapolis College of Art and Design Library, Minneapolis, MN
Professional:
2023 Freelance Photography, Art Documentation, Portrait, Corporate, Event
2021 MN Artists, Contributing Writer
2023 Springboard for the Arts, Technical Specialist
2023 Soo Visual Arts Center, Outreach Coordinator
2021 Public Art Saint Paul Presents Night Light, Event Coordinator
2020 MCAD Library Archives Assistant
Press:
2021 "Reflections on Creativity and Purpose" by curator Keisha Williams, essay
2020 Interview, SOTA: State of The Arts, podcast
2018 Interview, Insight with Beth Ruyak, Capitol Public Radio, Sacramento, CA
2018 Instagram Takeover, @vergeart, Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento, CA