Profile/Biography
I was born in Beira, Mozambique and lived in South Africa (Durban and Johanesburg) and England (Milton Keynes)before settling on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand where I settled at the beginning of 1999.
I started painting as a small child encouraged by my father and two Mozambican artists with whom I learnt oil painting and sculpture. From my mother and maternal grandmother I learnt to sew and crochet.
Life got in the way in my twenties and until I moved to New Zealand, I did not much art work, except for a bit of drawing and clay work . During those years I worked as an Architectural Technician, IT Assistant and Secondary School Technology teacher. New Zealand’s light and environment instilled in me the desire to get back into art.
I work mainly with clay (sculpture, domestic ware & hand built). Love the feel of clay, working it to its limits and see its metamorphisis to a beautiful object.
I also create with textiles (working with harakeke, weaving with other materials, felting and eco dyeing). My art is influenced by nature and its flora and creatures, especially birds. I have spent the majority of my life living near the sea and this and my african upbringing have also influenced my work.
In 2006 and 2007, I attended various workshops on harakeke (NZ flax) weaving and got hooked. In 2009 I started doing the Certificate in Raranga (harakeke weaving) and in 2012 completed the Bachelor of Visual Arts (Raranga) at Te Wananga O Aotearoa. My favourite being muka, whatu and taaniko work. I am a trained teacher and have taught since year 2000.
I have sold work nationally and overseas.
1987 - Bachelor of Science (Computing and Design)
2000 - Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)
2012 - Bachelor of Visual Arts (Raranga)
I started painting as a small child encouraged by my father and two Mozambican artists with whom I learnt oil painting and sculpture. From my mother and maternal grandmother I learnt to sew and crochet.
Life got in the way in my twenties and until I moved to New Zealand, I did not much art work, except for a bit of drawing and clay work . During those years I worked as an Architectural Technician, IT Assistant and Secondary School Technology teacher. New Zealand’s light and environment instilled in me the desire to get back into art.
I work mainly with clay (sculpture, domestic ware & hand built). Love the feel of clay, working it to its limits and see its metamorphisis to a beautiful object.
I also create with textiles (working with harakeke, weaving with other materials, felting and eco dyeing). My art is influenced by nature and its flora and creatures, especially birds. I have spent the majority of my life living near the sea and this and my african upbringing have also influenced my work.
In 2006 and 2007, I attended various workshops on harakeke (NZ flax) weaving and got hooked. In 2009 I started doing the Certificate in Raranga (harakeke weaving) and in 2012 completed the Bachelor of Visual Arts (Raranga) at Te Wananga O Aotearoa. My favourite being muka, whatu and taaniko work. I am a trained teacher and have taught since year 2000.
I have sold work nationally and overseas.
1987 - Bachelor of Science (Computing and Design)
2000 - Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)
2012 - Bachelor of Visual Arts (Raranga)
I am on Instagram check out isabelfernandesday_artist
Quote
"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavour" by Vince Lombardi.
"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavour" by Vince Lombardi.
All work and photos shown in these pages are copyrighted to Isabel Fernandes-Day.
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.