Fernando Palma Rodriguez at Heide Museum of Modern Art

Heide Museum of Modern Art had great pleasure in welcoming Fernando Palma Rodríguez - the Museum's first international artist-in-residence - for a three-month stay from March to May of this year. Inspired by this residency, he created an installation for the Kerry Gardner & Andrew Myer Project Gallery, Butterflown of love (click here for details) that is displayed at Heide until 26 October 2008. Redolent with personal and historic cultural meaning for Palma Rodríguez, this interactive work brings objects to life with a range of intriguing narratives.

Palma Rodríguez is a Nahua Mexican artist now living and working in the United Kingdom. He came to Heide under the Arts Council England and Stour Valley Arts Fellowship.

Palma Rodríguez’s predominantly sculptural practice demonstrates his keen interest in pre-Columbian art and the mythology of Mexico as well as his experience as an industrial engineer. His concern for the dilemmas currently faced by the environment has prompted works that seek to address both the teachings of bygone cultures and the impact of technology on the natural world. He is a founding member of Calpulli Tecalco ONG AC, Mexico City, an association committed to the preservation of the Nahuatl language and the environment in San Pedro Atocpan, Mexico City.

While at Heide, Fernando also participated in Heide’s Education & Public Programs, where he conducted a school holiday activity, Masked Warriors and featured in Artists in conversation where he spoke about his mixed media sculptures and the inspirations he drew from his time here in Australia. Fernando also participated in The South Project where he conducted workshops for South Kids .

Read the blog Palma Rodríguez wrote about his residency at Heide and visit to Australia.
Click here to read the blog and make a comment .

To listen to a podcast of Rachel Bongiorno interviewing Fernando Palma Rodríguez for SBS World View, Wednesday 30 July 2008, Click here

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